Bengaluru court bars media from making defamatory allegations against actress Ranya Rao

A Bengaluru court on Wednesday passed an ex-parte temporary injunction restraining 35 media houses from making, publishing or telecasting any defamatory statements against Sandalwood actress Ranya Rao, who is currently under investigation in a gold smuggling case. .The order was passed on a plea filed by Rao's mother amid concerns that sensationalised media coverage surrounding the case was violating her right to fair trial under Article 21 of the Constitution.Rao's mother moved the Court seeking an injunction on the ground that media reports were creating a false perception and prejudicing public opinion against his daughter.“On the guise of fair journalism, the defendant media houses are telecasting/publishing news which are derogatory and defamatory, in order to increase their TRP and thereby are holding media trial and are violating the right of fair trial to the accused," it was submitted. .The Court after examining that media reports on the ongoing investigation by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), said the reports have crossed ethical boundaries and may prejudice the accused’s defense. It further observed that misleading headlines, exaggerated narratives and speculative reports have created a media trial atmosphere, potentially damaging Rao’s personal integrity. “The copies of the news articles placed on record show the defendants are telecasting/publishing news about the ongoing investigation and are holding media trials which is an utter disregard to the guidelines issued by Hon’ble Courts and are interfering with the administration of justice,” the order stated..Consequently, the Court found a prima facie case in favor of Rao, noting that the balance of convenience lies with Rao and that failure to restrain the media would result in irreparable harm to her legal rights. It ruled that until the next hearing on June 2, all media houses named in the suit must cease airing or publishing defamatory content regarding the actress."The defendants are hereby restrained from making, uttering, speaking, writing, publishing, relaying, telecasting or defamatory any statements or allegations against the plaintiff's daughter Smt. Harshavardini Ranya Rao by way of this exparte temporary injunction order. This order shall remain in force till next date of hearing," the order said. .Earlier this month, Rao was remanded to DRI custody by a special court following her arrest at Bengaluru International Airport, where authorities allegedly seized 14.2 kg of smuggled gold worth ₹12.86 crore. Subsequent raids at her residence reportedly led to the seizure of jewelry worth ₹2.06 crore and cash worth ₹2.67 crore, taking the total seizure in the case to ₹17.29 crore.The case has drawn significant media attention with reports highlighting Rao's frequent travels to Dubai and alleged misuse of VIP airport exits..Rao’s legal troubles have also affected her husband, Jatin Vijayakumar Hukkeri, who recently moved the Karnataka High Court seeking protection from arrest. The High Court on March 11 granted him interim relief and directed the DRI not to take any coercive action against him.