On Jarkiholi plea, court bars media from covering ‘sex CD’-related news
TV9 Kannada seeks time to file objections to ex-Minister’s petition
BENGALURU:
Following the telecast of the ‘sex CD’ which forced Water Resources Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi to resign his post, Jarkiholi has now obtained a court injunction against 68 news agencies, including national and regional TV channels and newspapers. As of now, only one TV channel — TV9 Kannada – is out of the purview of the injunction order as it has sought time to file objections.
On March 3, Ramesh Jarkiholi’s advocate Sandeep Patil filed an original suit No. 25344/2021 seeking relief of ‘permanent prohibitory injunction’ against the media houses.
In his interim application, I.A.No.1/2021 U/O 39 R 1 and 2 of CPC, Jarkiholi has sought an interim injunction restraining the media houses from telecasting/broadcasting/publishing/disseminating or distributing in any form or manner the contents of any alleged CD or any other material in relation to the plaintiff.
Advocate Sandeep Patil contended that his client apprehended that continued broadcast or news coverage of the alleged CD would tarnish his image and sought an ex-parte ad interim injunction against the media houses.
According to the petition, Jarkiholi is an MLA from Gokak who has been tirelessly working for the betterment of the people, and if the defendants continue to telecast or publish negative news pertaining to him, it would amount to tarnishing his character.
‘Prima facie case’
In his order, LXXII A.C.C.& S. Judge, Mayo Hall Unit, (CCH73) Abdul Rahiman A Nandgadi said the plaintiff had made out a prima facie case for an injunction against telecasting or publishing of any material affecting the reputation of the plaintiff.
The judge noted that Defendant No.15 (TV9 Karnataka) has filed a caveat on March 3.
While passing the ex parte ad interim injunction against the defendants, the judge said the injunction would not come in the way of the defendants publishing authenticated and true news without making any defamatory remarks against the plaintiff.
The judge also directed the registry to keep the copy of the CD produced by Ramesh Jarkiholi in safe custody.
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