Archive · 23 Jul 2025
Supreme Court Declines Hearing Dharmasthala Temple Gag Order
A court in Bengaluru told the media not to report things that could hurt the reputation of the Dharmasthala temple and its leaders.
Someone challenged this in the Supreme Court, but the Supreme Court said they should go to a different court first.
The person challenging the order argued that it was unfair and stopped an investigation into a mass burial case.
The court that issued the gag order said that some people were spreading false information about the temple.
Supreme Court refused to hear a petition challenging a media gag order.
The gag order, issued by a Bengaluru court, restricted media from publishing defamatory content related to the Dharmasthala temple.
The Supreme Court advised the petitioner to approach the High Court instead.
The petition argued the gag order was issued ex parte and obstructed a state investigation.
The gag order was issued after a plea claiming false and derogatory statements were made against the temple.
- Who
- Supreme Court, a petitioner, and the 11th Additional City Civil and Sessions Court in Bengaluru.
- What
- Supreme Court refused to hear a petition against a media gag order related to the Dharmasthala temple mass grave case.
- When
- The Supreme Court issued the ruling on Wednesday, regarding an order issued on July 21st.
- Where
- Bengaluru, India.
- Why
- The Supreme Court advised the petitioner to seek redress from the Karnataka High Court.
Media/Petitioner
Dharmasthala Temple/Civil Court
Freedom of Speech vs. Defamation
Media/Petitioner
Gag order obstructs the freedom of speech and press.
Dharmasthala Temple/Civil Court
The civil court observed that some individuals and media outlets had allegedly begun spreading false and derogatory statements.
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Gag Order Issuer
- 11th Additional City Civil and Sessions Court in Bengaluru
- Gag Order Subject
- Dharmasthala temple, Dr D. Veerendra Heggade and family
- Gag Order Date
- July 21
- Plaintiff in Gag Order
- D. Harshendra Kumar