Victory for Media: HC quashes gag order in Dharmasthala mass burial case, upholds media freedom

Bengaluru

In a landmark decision reinforcing press freedom and democratic transparency, the Karnataka High Court (HC) on Friday struck down a controversial gag order that had barred media reporting on the Dharmasthala mass burial case. 

The order, originally issued by a civil court, had drawn widespread criticism for allegedly attempting to stifle public discourse and press coverage on a matter of significant national interest. The previous order was issued in a civil suit filed by Harshendra Kumar D, head of the Dharmasthala temple administration, demanding the removal of thousands of media links from YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and news portals.

Justice M  Nagaprasanna who passed the verdict held that the sweeping order, passed ex-parte, not only exceeded judicial bounds but also posed a chilling threat to free expression by silencing 338 named respondents and potentially all media houses.

The petition was filed by the YouTube channel Kudla Rampage, represented by Supreme Court advocate, A Velan, who called the verdict “a powerful affirmation that journalism cannot be criminalised.” Velan argued that the injunction attempted to criminalise the act of reporting and deprived the public of their constitutional right to know, especially in an ongoing criminal investigation of such gravity.

“This is not merely a legal victory—it’s a triumph for every journalist, whistleblower, activist, and citizen demanding truth,” Velan said in a public statement. “The families of the victims and the whistleblower who risked his life can now be assured that the story will not be buried.”

The Dharmasthala case, currently under investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), involves the alleged secret burial of multiple human remains. The case has triggered national outrage and intense media scrutiny over the past month.