- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010508812019 NC: 2026:KHC:50697 WP No. 51135 of 2019 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 17TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM WRIT PETITION NO. 51135 OF 2019 (GM-CPC) BETWEEN: 1. SRI. KALAKAPPA GURUSHANTAPPA BANDI S/O GURUSHANTAPPA AGED ABOUT 46 YEARS R/AT DOOR NO.163 LEGISLATURE HOUSE-2 NEAR VIDHANA SOUDHA DEVARAJ URS ROAD BENGALURU-560001 …PETITIONER (BY SRI. RAHUL RAI .K, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE PUBLISHERS AND BROADCASTERS WELFARE ASSOCIATION OF KARNATAKA C/O PRESS CLUB BENGALURU-560 001. REP. BY ITS SECRETARY 2. FACEBOOK INDIA ONE BKC, BANDRA KURLA COMPLEX BANDRA (E), MUMBAI MAHARASHTRA-400051 REP. BY ITS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICE 3. PUBLIC T V WRITMEN MEDIA PVT. LTD. NO.57, 4TH MAIN, MLA LAYOUT R T NAGAR, BENGALURU-560 032 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHAIRMAN AND Digitally Signed By: SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM Verified - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010508812019 NC: 2026:KHC:50697 WP No. 51135 of 2019 MANAGING EDITOR SRI H R RANGANATH 4. TV-9 KANNADA NO.13, RHENIUS STREET RICHMOND TOWN, BENGALURU-25 REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR 5. NEWS 9, NO.13 RHENIUS STREET RICHMOND TOWN BENGALURU-560025 REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR 6. NEWS 18 KANNADA 4TH FLOOR, SILVER JUBILEE BLOCK CSI COMPOUND, UNITY BUILDING 3RD CROSS, MISSION RD BENGALURU-560 027 REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR 7. SUVARNA NEWS 24X7 ASIANET NEWS PVT LTD NO.204, EMBASSY SQUARE NO.148, INFANTRY ROAD BANGALORE-560 001. REPRESENTED BY THE CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR 8. DECCAN HERALD AND ENGLISH NEWS PAPER MG ROAD, BENGALURU-560001 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 9. SAMAYA 24X7 NO.10/A, CHANDRAKIRANA BUILDING 5TH FLOOR, 6TH CROSS KASTURBA ROAD, BENGALURU-560001 REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR Digitally Signed By: SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM Verified - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010508812019 NC: 2026:KHC:50697 WP No. 51135 of 2019 10. RAJ NEWS KANNADA NEAR AMBEDKAR AUDITORIUM VASANTH NAGAR, BENGALURU-560001 REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGIGN DIRECTOR 11. CNN IBN ENGLISH TV NEWS CHANEL GLOBAL BROADCAST NEWS EXPRESS TRADE TOWER PLOT NO.15-16, SECTOR 16-A NOIDA-201 301 UTTAR PRADESH REPRESENTED BY TIS MANAGING DIRECTOR 12. TIMES NOW ENGLISH TV NEWS CHANEL TIMES GLOBAL BROADCASTING COMPANY LTD TRADE HOUSE, FIRST FLOOR SENAPATHI, BAPATMARG LOWER PAREL, MUMBAI-40013 REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR 13. HEADLINES TODAY ENGLISH TV NEWS CHANEL THE INDIA TODAY GROUP MEDIAPLEX FC-8 SECTOR 16A FILM CITY, NOIDA-201301 UTTAR PRADESH REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR 14. AAJ TAK HINDI NEWS CHANEL THE INDIA TODAY GROUP MEDIAPLEX FC-8 SECTOR-16A FILM CITY, NOIDA UTTAR PRADESH - 201 301. REP BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR 15. NDTV 24X7 ENGLISH TV NEWS CHANEL NEW DELHI TELEVISION LTD., Digitally Signed By: SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM Verified - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010508812019 NC: 2026:KHC:50697 WP No. 51135 of 2019 207 OKHLA INDUSTRIAL ESTATES, PHASE-3, NEW DELHI-110 020. REP BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR 16. NEWS X ENGLISH TV NEWS CHANEL B-4, SECTOR-3, NOIDA UTTAR PRADESH-201 301. REP BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR 17. NEWS 24 (INDIA) HINDI TV NEWS CHANEL B.A.G. FILM AND MEDIA LTD FC-23, SECTOR 16-A, FILM CITY, NOIDA, UTTAR PRADESH- 201 301. REP BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR 18. ZEE NEWS HINDI TV NEWS CHANEL ESSEL STUDIO, FC-19, SECTOR-16A, NOIDA UTTAR PRADESH-201 301. REP BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR 19. NDTV INDIA HINDI NEWS CHANEL NEW DELHI TELEVISION LTD, 207 OKHLA INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, PHASE-3, NEW DELHI-110 020 REP BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR 20. TIMES OF INDIA NO.40/1, 1ST FLOOR, S AND B TOWERS, M.G.ROAD, BENGALURU-560001. REP BY EDITOR 21. B TV, A KANNADA NEWS CHANNEL CRECENT ROAD, NEAR MALLIGE HSOPITAL, BENGALURU-56001. REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR Digitally Signed By: SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM Verified - 5 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010508812019 NC: 2026:KHC:50697 WP No. 51135 of 2019 22. THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS EXPRESS BUILDINGS, 1, QUEENS ROAD, BENGALURU-560001 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITIOR 23. PRAJAVAANI NO.75, M G ROAD, BENGALURU-560001. REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 24. THE HINDU NO.19 AND 21 BHAGWAN MAHAVEER ROAD, INFANTRY ROAD, BENGALURU-560001. REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDTIOR 25. KANNADA PRABHA NO.18, CRESCENT ROAD, MADHAVA NAGAR, GANDHI NAGAR, BENGALURU-560001. REPRESENTED BY TS CHIEF EDITOR 26. SAMYUKTA KARNATAKA NO.2, RESIDENCY ROAD, SHANTHALA NAGAR, ASHOK NAGAR, BENGALURU-560025. REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 27. VIJAYAVANI SRI SAIRAM TOWERS, NO.24, 3RD FLOOR, 5TH MAIN ROAD, CHAMARAJPET, BENGALURU-560018, REPRESENTED BY TS CHIEF EDITOR 28. KARAVALI ALE NO. 400 C, BAIKAMPADY INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, BAIKAMPADY,MANGALORE-575 011, REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR. Digitally Signed By: SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM Verified - 6 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010508812019 NC: 2026:KHC:50697 WP No. 51135 of 2019 29. KANNADA JANANTARANGA PLOT NO. 26-27, KASSIDC INDUSTRIAL AREA, HEGDE ROAD, KUMTA, UTTARA KANNADA DISTRICT-403 728. REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR. 30. HOSADIGANTA NO.126/1, 6TH CROSS ROAD, 1ST FLOOR, LOWER PALACE ORCHARDS, MALLESHWARAM WEST, BENGALURU-560 003. REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR. 31. NEWS 18 GLOBAL BROADCAST NEWS, EXPRESS TRADE TOWER, PLOT NO. 15-16, SECTOR 16A, NOIDA, UTTAR PRADESH STATE, INDIA-201 301, REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR. 32. VISHWAVANI NEWS NO.1687, BEML LAYOUT, IDEAL HOMES LAYOUT, 5TH STAGE, RR NAGAR, BENGALURU-560 098. REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR. 33. BENGALURU MIRROR NO.17, 9TH FLOOR, DU PARC TRINITY, MAHATMA GANDHI ROAD, BENGALURU-560 025, REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR. 34. VIJAYA KARNATAKA NO.4, COMPOUND PAMPA, MAHAKAVI ROAD, CHAMARAJPET, Digitally Signed By: SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM Verified - 7 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010508812019 NC: 2026:KHC:50697 WP No. 51135 of 2019 CHAMARAJPET, BENGALURU-560 018, REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR. 35. UDAYAVANI MANIPAL MEDIA NETWORK LTD. UDAYAVANI BUILDING, UDAYAVANI ROAD, MANIPAL 576 101 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 36. SAMBARAMA T V PARAMOUNT BUILDING 4TH FLOOR, 80 FEET ROAD, CHANDRA LAYOUT BENGALURU 560040 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 37. FOCUS T V KANNADA NEW BEL RODA, RMV 2ND STAGE OPPOSTE TO DEVASANDRA BUS STOP SANJEEAPLPA COLONY, R.M.V. 2ND STAGE, BENGALURU 560 094 REPRESENED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 38. TV 1 NEWS 24X7 NO.7, 1ST MAIN ROAD, LIC COLONY, YESHWANTHPUR BENGALURU 560022 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 39. SAMACHARA.COM NO.315, GANJAM, III FLOOR, 14TH CROSS, 9TH MAIN, IIBLOCK, JAYANAGAR BENGALURU 560 011 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 40. PRAJAA T V SHEZAN LAVELLE, NO.4TH FLOOR NO.15, WALTON ROAD, SHANTHALA NAGAR Digitally Signed By: SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM Verified - 8 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010508812019 NC: 2026:KHC:50697 WP No. 51135 of 2019 ASHOK NAGAR, BENGALURU 560 001 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 41. VARTHA BHARATHI VALENCIA, VALENCIA CIRCLE, VALENCIA ROAD, MANGALURU 575002. REP BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 42. SANJEVANI HONEY HOUSE, NO. 11/2, NEXT TO SANJAYVANI, QUEENS ROAD, VASANTH NAGAR, BENGALURU 560052, REP BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 43. EE SANJE NO. 2/4, DR. RAJKUMAR ROAD, RAJAJI NAGAR, BENGLAURU 560010. REP BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 44. DIGHVIJAY NEWS 24 X 7 LALBAGH MAIN ROAD, VINOBHA NAGAR, SUDHAMA NAGAR, BENGALURU 560027, REP BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 45. REPUBLIC TV BOMBAY DYEING COMPOUND WORLI, MUMBAI 400018. REP BY ITS CHEF EDITOR 46. ONE INDIA GREYNIUM INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES PVT LTD, NADATHUR PLACE, PLOT NO 23, 8TH MAN ROAD, JAYANAGAR, BENGALURU 560011. REP BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR Digitally Signed By: SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM Verified - 9 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010508812019 NC: 2026:KHC:50697 WP No. 51135 of 2019 47. TV 5 KANNADA NO.130, LOOP ROAD, KUMARA PARK WEST, SHESHADRIPURAM, BENGALURU-560020. REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 48. INDIA TODAY THE INDIA TODAY GROUP MEDIAPLEX, FC-8, SECTOR-16A, FILM CITY, NOIDA, UTTARPRADESH-201301. REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 49. ABP NEWS ABP NEWS CENTER NO. 301, BOSTON HOUSE, 3RD FLOOR, SUREN ROAD, ANDHERI EAST, MUMBAI-400093 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 50. INDIA TV INDIA TV BROADCAST CENTRE, B-30, SECTOR 85, NOIDA-201305, UTTAR PRADESH, REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 51. M/S LANKESH PATHIREK KANNADA JOURNAL NO.5/2, UNIT NO.001, TRUMP TOWER, EAGLE STREET, LANGFORD TOWN, BANGALORE-560025. REP. BY ITS EDITOR 52. M/S HAI BENGALURU JOURNAL KANNADA JOURNAL, 2, PADMANABHA NAGAR, 2ND STAGE, KADIRENAHALLI CROSS, BANASHANKARI, KADARENAHALLI, BANGALORE-560070. REP. BY ITS EDITOR 53. M/S AGNI KANNADA JOURNAL NO.3/1, 9TH B MAIN ROAD, PRASHANTH NAGAR, Digitally Signed By: SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM Verified - 10 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010508812019 NC: 2026:KHC:50697 WP No. 51135 of 2019 ISRO LAYOUT, KANAKAPURA ROAD, BANGALORE-560062. REP BY ITS EDITOR 54. M/S CHALAGARA NEWS JOURNAL THIRTHAHALLI TOWN, THIRTHAHALLI, SHIVAMOGGA-577201. REP. BY ITS EDITOR 55. M/S BELAGINA VIDHATHA NEWS JOURNAL THIRTHAHALLI TOWN, THIRTHAHALLI, SHIVAMOGGA - 577201 REP. BY ITS EDITOR. 56. M/S. NIMMA ABHIMATHA NEWS JOURNAL KUNDAPURA TALUK, KUNDAPURA, UDUPI DISTRICT-574 118. REP BY ITS EDITOR. 57. M/S CHALUKYA NEW JOURNAL KUNDAPURA TOWN, KUNDAPURA UDUPI DISTRICT, REP BY ITS EDITOR-574 118. 58. SUDDIMANE NEWS JOURNAL KUNDAPURA TOWN, KUNDAPURA UDUPI DISTRICT - 574 118. REP. BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR. 59. M/S JANAPRATHINIDHI NEWS JOURNAL KUNDAPURA TOWN KUNDAPURA UDUPI DISTRICT-574 118. REP BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 60. M/S KUNDAPURA NEWS JOURNAL KUNDAPURA TOWN, KUNDAPURA UDUPI DISTRICT-574 118 REP BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR Digitally Signed By: SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM Verified - 11 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010508812019 NC: 2026:KHC:50697 WP No. 51135 of 2019 61. M/S WHATSAPPA MESSENGER I FLOOR 3 NORTH AVENUE MAKER MAXITY BANDRA KURLA COMPLEX BANDRA EAST MUMBAI-400051. 62. M/S YOUTUBE LLC 901 CHERRY AVE SANBRUNO C A 94066 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HAVING ITS OFFICE AT BANGALORE C/O GEOOGLE INDIA PVT LTD NO.3RMZ INFINITY TOWER OLD MADRAS ROAD 3RD AND 4TH FLOOR BANGALORE-56 63. M/S YAHOO INDIA PVT LTD UNIT NO.1261 6TH FLOOR BUILDING NO.12 SOLITARY CORPORATE PARK NO.167 GURU HARAGOVINDJI MARG (ANDHREI) GHAT KOPPAR LINK ROAD, ANDHERI EAST MUMBAI-400 001. 64. M/S FACEBOOK INDIA CORPORATE OFFICE BUILDING NO.20 RAHEJA MIND SPACE HITECH CITY HYDERABAD ANDHRAPRADESH-81 65. M/S GOOGLE INDIA PVT LTD NO.3 3RD, 4TH AND 5TH FLOOR RMZ INFINITY TOWER SWAMY VIVEKANANDA ROAD, BANGALORE-560016 …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI.JARUNN SURANA, ADVOCATE FOR R8 AND R23; SRI. _________, ADVOCATE FOR R13 AND R14; Digitally Signed By: SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM Verified - 12 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010508812019 NC: 2026:KHC:50697 WP No. 51135 of 2019 SRI. SANDEEP S. SHAHAPUR, ADVOCATE FOR R20, R33 AND R34; SRI. ARUNA SHYAM .M, SENIOR COUNSEL FOR SRI. SUYOG HERELE, ADVOCATE FOR R27 AND R44; SRI. MANU KULKARNI, ADVOCATE FOR R65; SRI. AJAY N.NANDALIKE, ADVOCATE FOR R50; SRI. KARAN JOSEPH, ADVOCATE FOR R2 AND R64; SRI. S. RAMAKRISHNAN, ADVOCATE FOR R50; SRI. H.K. SINGH, ADVOCATE FOR R17 (NOC NOT OBTAINED) SRI. RICAB CHAND .K, ADVOCATE FOR R17; R3, R6, R7, R10, R11, R12, R18, R21, R22, R24, R25, R26, R28, R29, R30, R31, R32, R35, R36, R38, R41 TO R43, R45 TO R48, R51 TO R55, R57, R58, R63, R65 ARE SERVED; V/O DATED 19.07.2021, NOTICE TO R4, R5 AND R61 HELD SUFFICIENT; R40, R49 AND R62 SERVED; V/O DATED 09.06.2025, NOTICE TO R1 AND R59 IS HELD SUFFICIENT) THIS W.P. IS FILED UNDER SECTION 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO SET ASIDE THE ORDER DAETD 21.11.2019 IN ISSUING EMERGENT NOTICE TO THE RESPONDENT IN O.S.NO.8329/2019 ON THE FILE OF XLII ADDITIONAL CITY CIVIL AND SESSIONS JUDGE AT BENGALURU VIDE ANNEXURE-A AND CONSEQUENTLY ALLOW THE APPLICATION (I.A.NO.1/2019) FILED BY THE PETITIONER SEEKING AD-INTERIM TEMPORARY INJUNCTION AGAINST THE RESPONDENTS RESTRAINING THEM FROM TRANSMITTING, BROAD CASTING, PUBLISHING DISTRIBUTING, SHARING, WEBHOSTING IN ANY PERMANENT TRANSIENT/AUDIO FORMAT IN ANY PRINT MEDIA/NEWSPAPER/TELEVISION CHANNELS /LOCAL CABLE OPERATED CHANNEL/ INTERNET/ WEBSITE/ RADIO CHANNEL/ SOCIAL MEDIA/ WHATSAPPING/ TROLLING ETC. ANYTHING CONCERNING/RELATING TO THE PETITIONER AND HIS PARTY FROM PUBLISHING ANY FALSE, FRIVOLOUS, VEXATIOUS AND DEFAMATORY NEWS DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY IN ANY MANNER LOWING AND DAMAGING THE REPUTATION OF THE PETITIONER; AND ETC. Digitally Signed By: SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM Verified - 13 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010508812019 NC: 2026:KHC:50697 WP No. 51135 of 2019 THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM ORAL ORDER The captioned writ petition is filed by the plaintiff calling in question the order dated 21.11.2019 passed by the learned Judge in O.S.No.8329/2019, whereby the learned Judge, while directing issuance of emergent notice, declined to grant an ex-parte order of temporary injunction in favour of the plaintiff. 2. The order impugned herein was passed as far back as on 21.11.2019. The matter has remained pending before this Court for nearly seven years. In view of the considerable passage of time, the challenge to the order declining to grant an ex-parte temporary injunction has lost its efficacy and the writ petition, insofar as the challenge to the said order is concerned, has been rendered infructuous. Digitally Signed By: SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM Verified - 14 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010508812019 NC: 2026:KHC:50697 WP No. 51135 of 2019 3. However, if the defendants have entered appearance and have contested I.A.No.1 filed under Order XXXIX Rules 1 and 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, the learned Trial Judge shall consider the said application on its merits and pass appropriate orders thereon, strictly in accordance with law. While considering the application, the learned Trial Judge shall also bear in mind the principles and guidelines laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Bloomberg Television Production Services India Pvt. Ltd. and Others v. Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., reported in (2025) 1 SCC 741. The said application shall be considered and disposed of, preferably within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 4. Learned counsel appearing for the respondents, however, submits that, in view of the interim order operating in the present proceedings, the plaintiff has not been mounting the witness box and has been seeking Digitally Signed By: SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM Verified - 15 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010508812019 NC: 2026:KHC:50697 WP No. 51135 of 2019 repeated and unnecessary adjournments before the learned Trial Court. It is further submitted that, though the suit is of the year 2019, the plaintiff has not commenced his evidence and has been repeatedly seeking adjournments, thereby delaying the progress of the suit. 5. The aforesaid submissions made by the learned counsel appearing for the respondents are placed on record. This Court makes it clear that plaintiff shall not seek unnecessary adjournments or to delay the proceedings before the learned Trial Court. In that view of the matter, the writ petition stands disposed of with a direction to the learned Trial Judge to consider and dispose of I.A.No.1 filed under Order XXXIX Rules 1 and 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, in accordance with law. Simultaneously, the learned Trial Judge shall ensure that the plaintiff commences his evidence on the next date of hearing. In the event the plaintiff fails to commence his evidence without sufficient Digitally Signed By: SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM Verified - 16 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010508812019 NC: 2026:KHC:50697 WP No. 51135 of 2019 cause, the learned Trial Judge shall be at liberty to pass such appropriate orders as are permissible in law. Liberty is reserved to the petitioner/plaintiff to seek an early hearing and disposal of I.A.No.1 filed under Order XXXIX Rules 1 and 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, before the learned Trial Court. All contentions of the parties on the merits of the said application are kept open. No order as to costs. (SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM) JUDGE NBM List No.: 1 Sl No.: 13 Digitally Signed By: SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM Verified