July 23, 2025

The Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to the gag order imposed by a Bengaluru civil court that restrained media outlets from publishing defamatory material against Harshendra Kumar D. The gag order was related to alleged burials in the temple town connected to Dharmasthala's D. Veerendra Heggade. The petition seeking to stay the civil court's order argued that it obstructed a state criminal investigation. Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai advised the petitioner to approach the Karnataka High Court. The order, which directed media to remove previously published content on the issue, was criticized for infringing on freedom of speech and the press. The Karnataka government has formed a Special Investigation Team to look into the allegations.

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Tags: Supreme court, Gag order, Defamation, Media, Dharmasthala,