The Karnataka High Court has issued a notice to the Central government and 32 media houses following a petition by the mother of actor Ranya Rao, who was arrested in a gold smuggling case.
The plea seeks judicial intervention to establish guidelines on media coverage, particularly when the accused is a woman.
Legal Action Against Defamatory Media Reports
Justice M. Nagaprasanna passed the order in response to the petition filed by Rohini H.P, the wife of K. Ramachandra Rao, Director General of Police (DGP) and Chairman of the Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation. Mr. Rao is the stepfather of Ms. Ranya Rao.
The petitioner highlighted that various media outlets have been broadcasting defamatory and unverified allegations against Ms. Ranya, despite a temporary injunction issued by a Bengaluru civil court restricting such publications. The gold smuggling case, registered by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), has drawn significant media attention, with concerns over sensationalism and violation of privacy.
Call for Media Guidelines in Criminal Investigations
Apart from restraining media coverage, the petitioner urged the Central government to frame guidelines for investigative agencies to prevent the disclosure of sensitive information to the media. This request aligns with earlier directives issued by the Delhi High Court, which set precedent in restraining media from publishing confidential investigative materials.
The petition also calls for enforcing adherence to the civil court’s temporary restraint order and ensuring responsible journalism when reporting on criminal cases, especially involving female accused.
DGP’s Fresh Petition Against Media Violations
In a related development, DGP K. Ramachandra Rao has filed a separate petition seeking directions for media compliance with a prior High Court order that restrained defamatory coverage against him in connection with the gold smuggling case. He alleged that despite the injunction, media houses continue to broadcast damaging content.
Notice Issued to 41 Media Platforms
Acknowledging concerns over media conduct, the Karnataka High Court has also issued notices to 41 media entities, including print, television, digital, and social media platforms. The Central government had previously advised media houses to exercise restraint when court orders are in effect, yet violations persist.
This case highlights the ongoing debate on media ethics, investigative journalism boundaries, and judicial intervention in balancing press freedom with fair trial rights.
