Karnataka HC Asks Centre To Strictly Implement Order To Restrain Media From Making Defamatory Statements Against Ranya Rao & Her Father

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday (April 8) directed the Union of India to ensure strict implementation of its earlier order directing it to pass appropriate orders restraining the media from making or telecasting any false, defamatory statement against actress Harshavardini Ranya Rao and her father K Ramchandra Rao.

Justice M Nagaprasanna said this after the counsel for K Ramchandra Rao–who is an IPS officer, submitted that despite the order of court the media channels are airing programs against him. Notably on March 18 the high court had directed the Central government to pass appropriate orders restraining the media from making or telecasting any false, defamatory statement against the actress and her father.

During the hearing today, Deputy Solicitor General Shanthi Bhushan H submitted that appropriate instructions have already been issued to the media houses. Then the court said “If what the learned counsel would submit is correct, the Union of India shall ensure strict implementation of the direction as directed earlier. List the matter in the first week of June.”

Ranya Rao has been arrested in connection with a gold smuggling case and is presently in judicial custody. Gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore were allegedly seized from Ranya at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. A subsequent search of her home had yielded gold jewellery worth ₹2.06 crore and Indian currency amounting to ₹2.67 crore.

On March 12, in a suit filed by her mother HP Rohini, the civil court had passed an ex-parte order restraining the media from making statements against the actress till June 2. A similar order was passed by the High Court in the plea filed by Ranya's father.

The parents had contended that despite the above orders, media houses are not encouraging restraint or following directions of civil court. "Information about the investigation is not disseminated by the media house but the character of the accused is painted in all colours," their plea before the High Court alleges. Thus they sought a direction to the UoI to restrain the media houses.

The court had earlier, while granting interim relief, indicated that it may lay down guidelines, setting out precautions or safeguards to be taken by Central Investigation Agencies in the ongoing investigations, and where accused is women particularly in relation to print, audio, electronic and visual media.

The court said it would consider the same at a later stage. It has now posted the matter for further hearing in the first week of June.

Case No: WP 7582/2025 & WP 7804/2025