Karnataka HC Asks Centre To Restrain Media From Making Defamatory Statements Against Actress Ranya Rao Arrested In Gold Smuggling Case
Mustafa Plumber
18 March 2025 11:14 AM
The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday directed the Central government 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.
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 now contend 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.
At this juncture, Court's attention was drawn to Darshan's case where the Court had asked the Media to refrain from publishing defamatory content against the actor accused of murder.
Deputy Solicitor General H Shanthi Bhushan also informed the court that Union of India had in the past taken steps to stop media houses from violating judicial orders passed in such cases.
Following this, the Court issued emergent notice to all media houses arrayed as respondents to the petition. Meanwhile, it granted interim relief to the actress.
Before parting, the court indicated that it may lay down guidelines, setting out precautions or safeguards to be taken by Central Investigation Agencies in the ongoing investigations, particularly in relation to print, audio, electronic and visual media.
The matter is next listed on April 8.
Appearance: Senior Advocate Prabhuling K Navadgi and Advocate Mahes for Petitioners
Deputy Solicitor General H Shanthi Bhushan for R1 (Union of India)
Case No: WP 7582/2025 & WP 7804/2025