Karnataka High Court lifts gag order in Dharmasthala case

03-Aug-2025

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The Karnataka High Court on August 1 struck down a media gag order imposed by a lower court in the ongoing Dharmasthala mass burials case, calling it an unconstitutional restraint on free speech. 

Justice M Nagaprasanna held that the public’s right to know cannot be curtailed, particularly in a matter involving allegations of serious institutional failure and the possibility of criminal wrongdoing.

The order quashing the injunction was issued in response to a petition filed by the YouTube channel Kudle Rampage, which was among the 338 respondents barred from publishing any content on the case. 

The High Court held that the trial court’s ex-parte order, which sought to prohibit any reporting or commentary on the investigation, amounted to a chilling effect on journalism and public accountability.