KPSC scam: Bengaluru court restrains media from publishing unfounded reports on Basavaraj Kannale

A Bengaluru court has restrained media organisations and social media platforms from publishing or circulating unfounded news reports on Basavaraj Kannale, the prime accused in the KPSC scam case, or on his family members.

The ex parte temporary injunction order also directs the removal of already uploaded material concerning Kannale in connection with his arrest in the alleged Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment scam involving the 400 veterinary officer posts.

The order was passed on October 5 by Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge Sudha Seturam Onkar in a suit filed by Kannale against media houses.

“The purpose of grant of temporary injunction will be defeated by delay if notices are ordered to defendants,” the court observed, while passing its ex parte (order passed without hearing defendants) interim order.

Kannale is the sixth accused in the criminal case registered by the Vidhana Soudha Police in connection with the alleged KPSC recruitment scam. He is also an accused in related cases being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Kannale is currently in ED custody till October 12.

Kannale had approached the court seeking a permanent injunction against editors, publishers, printers, broadcasters and social media operators (defendants) from publishing, telecasting, streaming, uploading or circulating what he described as defamatory, unverified and sensationalised material concerning him and his family members.

Kannale sought an order restraining the defendants from publishing, telecasting, broadcasting or uploading unverified news, articles, headlines, videos and audio relating to the investigation into the KPSC veterinary officers recruitment scam.

He also sought directions to the defendants to remove from their respective media and social media platforms, unverified news, articles, audio and videos that had already been published, telecast or uploaded.

The court said it was satisfied that the defendants had published and uploaded unverified news relating to the KPSC scam investigation and that the same had damaged the Kannale's reputation.

“Therefore, it is opined that it is fit case to grant ex-party temporary Injunction,” the court said.

Accordingly, the court restrained the defendants from telecasting, publishing, writing, circulating and uploading any unfounded news, article, headlines, audio, video, interview, and other such content concerning Kannale and his family members in connection with the KPSC veterinary officers recruitment scam case.

The court also directed the defendants to disable public access to articles, news items, interviews, audio and videos that contained unfounded news concerning Kannale and his family members.

The matter will be heard next on November 2.

Senior Advocate M Aruna Shyam appeared for Kannale. The plea is filed through advocate Nishanth SK.

[Read order]