Karnataka High Court gags media from publishing details on chargesheet against Darshan

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday restrained the media from “publishing, airing, or broadcasting” any details of the chargesheet filed against actor Darshan Thoogudeepa in the Renukaswamy murder case..Justice Hemanth Chandangoudar said that Darshan’s counsel, Senior Advocate Prabhuling Navadgi, had established a “prima facie case for an ex parte order” and accordingly directed the Central government to communicate such order to media houses.The judge also said that the Centre should initiate appropriate action in case any media house acted in breach of its order..The Court was hearing a petition filed by the jailed actor seeking directions to restrain the media from publishing details of the chargesheet filed against him..During the previous hearing on Monday, Justice Chandangoudar had said that he was inclined to direct the Central government to restrain all media houses from making public any details of the chargesheet in the case.However, counsel for the Centre said that the Court cannot pass such a blanket prohibitory order and that it was practically impossible for the government to issue necessary directions without particulars of which media house had acted in breach of the Broadcasting Rules, the Telegraph Act etc, and in what manner. It was argued that Darshan will have to provide specifics of such breaches.The Court, however, had gone on to say that while the Union’s concern was understandable, it was “time to issue orders against media trials.”.On Tuesday, Navadgi told the Court that he wished to implead some 37 odd media houses as respondent parties in the plea and secure the gag order against them.The Court permitted Navadgi to do so. It also accepted his argument that by constantly publishing or broadcasting details of the chargesheet, the media was denying Darshan his fundamental right to a fair trial.“Since they (Union government) are objecting, I will restrain the media houses and direct the Union to communicate this order to the media,” Justice Chandangoudar said..The dead body of 33-year-old auto-driver Renukaswamy was found on June 9. It is alleged that he died owing to injuries sustained in an attack carried out on Darshan's instructions. The actor allegedly called upon his fans to accost Renukaswamy for making derogatory comments against his alleged partner, Pavithra Gowda, on social media..Darshan had been in police custody since his arrest on June 11 this year. After the extended police custody ended, the trial court sent Darshan and three of his alleged accomplices to judicial custody.