High Court Restrains Media From Publishing Details Mentioned In Chargesheet Filed Against Murder-Accused Kannada Actor Darshan

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday by way of an ex-parte interim order restrained the media from broadcasting, printing or publishing any details from the chargesheet filed by the police against Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa who is an accused in a murder case, till next date of hearing.

A single judge bench of Justice Hemant Chandangoudar passed the order on a plea filed by Darshan seeking direction on the Union of India to pass an order directing the media agencies and news channels from publishing, broadcasting, printing and disseminating confidential information contained in the chargesheet and the other such material collected during the course of information in relation to the case, which is pending adjudication before the concerned court.

The court on hearing the arguments made by the counsel for the petitioner said “Despite the ex-parte ad-interim injunction granted on August 27 (Suit filed by wife of Darshan), the media channels continue to print, air, publish and disseminate the confidential information contained in the chargesheet. The petitioner has made out a prima facie case, to grant interim order. Accordingly the respondents 3 to 40 are hereby restrained from publishing, broadcasting, printing and disseminating confidential information contained in the chargesheet, till the next date of hearing.”

The bench in passing the order referred to the Supreme Court judgment in the case of Sidhartha Vashisht @ Manu Sharma vs State (Nct Of Delhi), 2010, and Clause 5 of the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, 1995, and also the coordinate bench judgment of the High Court. The court directed the Union of India to communicate the order to the media houses.

Darshan was arrested in the Renukaswamy murder case, on June 11, 2024 and remanded to judicial custody on June 22. He is presently lodged in prison.

Appearance: Senior Advocate Prabhuling K Navadgi, Advocates Pratham N and Sanjeevini Navadgi for Petitioner

Advocate Reshma K T is for R1

Case Title: DARSHAN SRINIVAS AND Union of India & Others

Case No: WP 24836/2024