The Karnataka High Court has heard arguments from both Kannada actor Darshan’s legal team and the government. After the hearing, the court stated that a final judgment will be issued soon. It also made key observations regarding media coverage of the case.
Darshan was accused of involvement in the 2024 murder of his 33-year-old fan, Renukaswamy. The case has since turned into a prolonged legal battle. Proceedings have been ongoing in the Karnataka High Court for several months.
A few months earlier, Darshan approached the court against certain media houses and YouTube channels. He alleged that they were portraying him negatively. The claim included accusations of recreating crime scenes using graphics and actors.
Darshan also raised concerns about debate shows discussing his alleged role in the case. He argued that such coverage attempts to influence public opinion. This is significant as the matter is still under judicial consideration.
During the latest hearing, the Chief Justice criticised the media’s approach. He questioned how crime scenes could be recreated while the case remains unresolved. He also asked why the Union Ministries had not taken stricter action.
In response, the central government stated that it could act if directed by the court. It said platforms like YouTube and Meta could be asked to remove such content. Non-compliance could lead to serious consequences for these platforms.
After hearing all arguments, the Karnataka High Court reserved its final order. The decision is now awaited. It remains to be seen whether the court will rule in favour of Darshan regarding content removal from social media.
