- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010385872019 NC: 2026:KHC:52793 WP No. 25723 of 2019 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 24TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM WRIT PETITION NO. 25723 OF 2019 (GM-CPC) BETWEEN: 1. SRI SRI SANTHOSH GURUJI AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS CORONETED AS SRI SRI SRI VIDHYAVACHASPATHI VISWA SANTOSH BHARATHI SRIPADARU PEETADIPATHI OF SRI SRI SRI BARAKOORU MAHA SAMSTHANAM, MAHAPOSHAK SWAMIJI AND HEAD OF SRI SWAMY AYYAPPA TEMPLE, SRIKSHETRA TRIKOOTACHALA AND HEAD OF AYUR ASHRAM, 2ND CROSS, 17TH MAIN ROAD, BHARTH NAGAR II STAGE, MAGADI MAIN ROAD BYADRAHALLI, BENGALURU-560091 …PETITIONER (BY SRI. RAJASHEKAR .S, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. TV-9 KANNADA NO.13, RHENIUS STREET RICHMOND TOWN BENGALURU -25 REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR 2. NEWS9 NO.13, RHENIUS STREET RIECHMOND TOWN, BENGALURU 560025 REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR Digitally Signed By: SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM Verified - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010385872019 NC: 2026:KHC:52793 WP No. 25723 of 2019 3. NEWS 18 KANNADA 4TH FLOOR, SILVER JUBILEE BLOCK, CSI COMPOUND, UNITY BUILDING 3RD CROSS, MISSION RD BENGALURU-560027 REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR 4. SUVARNA NEWS 24X7 ASIANET NEWS PVT LTD NO.204, EMBASSY SQUARE NO.148, INFANTRY ROAD BANGALORE 560001 REPRESENTED BY THE CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR 5. DECCAN HERALD AN ENGLISH DAILY NEWS PAPAER MG ROAD, BENGALURU-560001 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 6. SAMAYA 24X7 NO.10/A, CHANDRAKIRANA BUILDING 5TH FLOOR, 6TH CROSS, KASTURBA ROAD, BENGALURU-560001 REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR 7. PUBLIC TV WRITMEN MEDIA PVT LTD NO.57, 4TH MAIN, MLA LAYOUT, RT NAGAR BENGALURU-560032 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING EDITOR , SRI H R RANGANTH 8. RAJ NEWS KANNADA NEAR AMBEDKAR AUDITORIUM VASANTH NAGAR, BENGALURU-560001 REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR 9. CNN IBN ENGLISH TV NEWS CHANEL Digitally Signed By: SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM Verified - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010385872019 NC: 2026:KHC:52793 WP No. 25723 of 2019 GLOBAL BROADCAST NEWS EXPRESS TRADE TOWER, PLOT NO.15-16, SECTOR-16-A NOIDA-201301, UTTAR PRADESH REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR 10. TIMES NOW ENGLISH TV NEWS CHANEL TIMES GLOBAL BROADCASTING COMPANY LTD TRADE HOUSE, FIRST FLOOR SENAPATHI , BAPATMARG, LOWER PAREL, MUMBAI-400013 REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR 11. 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 12. AAJ TAK HINDI NEWS CHANEL THE INDIA TODAY GROUP MEDIAPLEX FC-8 SECTOR-16A, FILM CITY , NOIDA UTTAR PRADESH 201301 REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR 13. NDTV 24X7 ENGLISH TV NEWS CHANEL NEW DELHI TELEVISION LTD., 207 OKHLA INDUSTRIAL ESTATES, PHASE-3, NEW DELHI -110020 REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR 14. NEWS X ENGLISH TV NEWS CHANEL B-4, SECTOR-3, NOIDA Digitally Signed By: SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM Verified - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010385872019 NC: 2026:KHC:52793 WP No. 25723 of 2019 UTTAR PRADESH 201301 REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR 15. NEWS 24 (INDIA) HINDI TW NEWS CHANEL, B.A.G FILM & MEDIA LTD FC-23, SECTOR 16-A, FILM CITY NOIDA, UTTAR PRADESH 201301 REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR 16. ZEE NEWS HINDITV NEWS CHANEL ESSEL STUDIO, FC-19, SECTOR-16A, NOIDA, UTTAR PRADESH -201301 REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR 17. NDTV INDIA HINDI NEWS CHANEL NEW DELHI TELEVISION LTD 207 OKHLA INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, PHASE-3, NEW DELHI 110020 REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR 18. TIMES OF INDIA NO.40/1, 1ST FLOOR, S & B TOWERS M G ROAD, BENGALURU-560001 REPRESENTED BY EDITOR 19. B-TV, A KANNADA NEWS CHANNEL CRECENT ROAD, NEAR MALLIGE HOSPITAL BENGALURU-560001 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 20. THE NEW INDIA EXPRESS EXPRESS BUILDINGS, 1, QUEENS ROAD, BENGALURU-560001 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 21. PRAJAVAANI NO.75, M G ROAD Digitally Signed By: SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM Verified - 5 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010385872019 NC: 2026:KHC:52793 WP No. 25723 of 2019 BENGALURU-560001 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 22. THE HINDU NO.19 & 21, BHAGWAN MAHAVEER ROAD INFANTRY ROAD, BENGALURU-560001 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 23. KANNADA PRABHA NO.18, CRESCENT ROAD MADHAVA NAGAR, GANDHI NAGAR BENGALURU-560001 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 24. SAMYUKTA KARNATAKA NO.2, RESIDENCY ROAD SHANTHALA NAGAR, ASHOK NAGAR BENGALURU 560025 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 25. VIJAYAVANI SRI SAIRAM TOWERS NO.24, 3RD FLOOR, 5TH MAIN ROAD, CHAMRAJPET BENGALURU 560018 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 26. KARAVALI ALE NO.400 C, BAIKAMPADY INDUSTRIAL ESTATE BAIKAMPADY, MANGALORE-575011 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 27. KANNADA JANANTARANGA PLOT NO. 26-27, KSSIDC INDUSTRIAL AREA HEGDE ROAD, KUMTA UTTARA KANNADA DITRICT 581343 RERPESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR Digitally Signed By: SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM Verified - 6 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010385872019 NC: 2026:KHC:52793 WP No. 25723 of 2019 28. HOSADIGANTA NO.126/1, 6TH CROSS ROAD 1ST FLOOR, LOWER PALACE ORCHARDS MALLESHWARAM WEST, BENGALURU-560003 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 29. NEWS 18 GLOBAL BROADCAST NEWS EXPRESS TRADE TOWER PLOT NO.15-16, SECTOR-16A, NOIDA , UTTAR PRADESH STATE INDIA-201301 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 30. VISHWAVANI NEWS NO.1687, BEML LAYOUT IDEAL HOMES LAYOUT, 5TH STAGE, RR NAGAR BENGALURU-560098 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 31. BENGALURU MIRROR NO.17, 9TH FLOOR DU PARC TRINITY MAHATMA GANDHI ROAD BENGALURU-560025 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 32. VIJAYA KARNATAKA NO.4, COMPOUND PAMPA MAHAKAVI ROAD, CHAMARAJPET CHAMARAJPET, BENGALURU-560018 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 33. UDAYAVANI MANIPAL MEDIA NETWORK LTD UDAYAVANI BUILDING, UDAYAVANI ROAD MANIPAL 576104 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR Digitally Signed By: SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM Verified - 7 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010385872019 NC: 2026:KHC:52793 WP No. 25723 of 2019 34. SAMBRAMA TV PARAMOUNT BUILDING 4TH FLOOR, 80 FEET ROAD CHANDRA LAYOUT, BENGALURU-560040 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 35. FOCUS TV KANNADA NEW BEL ROAD, RMV 2ND STAGE OPPOSITE TO DEVASANDRA BUS STOP SANJEEAPPA COLONY, R M V 2ND STAGE, BENGALURU-560094 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 36. TV 1 NEWS 24/7 NO.7, 1ST MAIN ROAD LIC COLONY, YESHWANTHPUR BENGALURU-560022 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 37. SAMACHARA .COM NO.315, GANJAM , III FLOOR 14TH CROSS, 9TH MAIN II BLOCK, JAYANAGAR, BENGALURU-560011 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 38. PRAJAA TV SHEZAN LAVELLE , NO.4TH FLOOR SHANTHALAL NAGAR ASHOK NAGAR, BENGALURU-560001 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 39. VARTHA BHARATHI VALENCIA, VALENCIA CIRCLE VALENCIA ROAD MANGALURU-575002 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 40. SANJEVANI HONEY HOUSE NO.11/2, NEXT TO SANJAYVANI Digitally Signed By: SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM Verified - 8 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010385872019 NC: 2026:KHC:52793 WP No. 25723 of 2019 QUEENS ROD, VASANTH NAGAR BENGALURU-560052 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 41. EE SANJE NO.2/4, DR RAJKUMAR ROAD RAJAJAJI NAGAR, BENGALURU-560010 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 42. DIGHVIJAY NEWS 24X7 LALBAGH MAIN ROAD VINOBHA NAGAR, SUDHAMA NAGAR BENGALURU-560027 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 43. REPUBLIC TV BOMBAY DYEING COMPOUND WORLI MUMBAI-400018 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 44. ONE INDIA GREYNIUM INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES PVT LTD NADATHUR PLACE NO.23, 8TH MAIN ROAD, JAYANAGAR BENGALURU-560011 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 45. TV5 KANNADA NO.130, LOOP ROAD KUMARA PARK WEST SHESHADRIPURAM BENGALURU-560020 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 46. INDIA TODAY THE INDIA TODAY GROUP MEDIAPLEX FC-8, SECTOR-16A, FILM CITY NOIDA, UTTAR APRADESH-201301 Digitally Signed By: SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM Verified - 9 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010385872019 NC: 2026:KHC:52793 WP No. 25723 of 2019 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 47. ABP NEWS ABP NEWS CENTER NO.301, BOSTON HOUSE, 3RD FLOOR, SUREN ROAD ANDHERI EAST, MUMBAI-400093 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 48. INDIA TV INDIA TV BROADCAST CENTRE B-30, SECTOR 85, NOIDA 201305, UTTAR PRADESH REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 49. M/S LANKESH PATHIREK KANNADA JOURNAL NO.5/2, UNIT NO.001, TRUMP TOWER, EAGLE STREET LANGFORD TOWN, BANGALORE-560025 REP BY ITS EDITOR 50. M/S HAI BENAGALURU JOURNAL KANNADA JOURNAL 2, PADMANABHA NAGAR 2ND STAGE, KADIRENAHALLI CROSS BANASHANKARI, KADARENAHALLI BANGALORE-560070 REP BY ITS EDITOR 51. M/S AGNI KANNADA JOURNAL KANNADA JOURNAL NO.3/1, 9TH B MAIN ROAD PRASHANTH NAGAR, ISRO LAYOUT KANAKAPURA ROAD, BANGALORE-560062 REP BY ITS EDITOR 52. M/S CHALAGARA NEWS JOURNAL THIRTHAHALLI TOWN, THIRTHAHALLI SHIVAMOGGA 577432 Digitally Signed By: SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM Verified - 10 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010385872019 NC: 2026:KHC:52793 WP No. 25723 of 2019 REP BY ITS EDITOR 53. M/S BELAGINA VIDHATHA NEWS JOURNAL THIRTHAHALLI TOWN, THIRTHAHALLI SHIVAMOGGA -577432 REP BY ITS EDITOR 54. M/S NIMMA ABHIMATHA NEWS JOURNAL KUNDAPURA TALUK, KUNDAPURA UDUPI DISTRICT 576201 REP BY ITS EDITOR 55. M/S CHALUKYA NEWS JOURNAL KUNDAPURA TOWN, KUNDAPURA UDUPI DISTRICT 576201 REP BY ITS EDITOR 56. SUDDIMANE NEWS JOURNAL KUNDAPURA TOWN, KUNDAPURA UDUPI DISTRICT 576201 REP BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 57. M/S JANAPRATHINIDHI NEWS JOURNAL KUNDAPURA TOWN, KUNDAPURA UDUPI DISTRICT 576201 REP BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 58. M/S KUNDAPURA NEWS JOURNAL KUNDAPURA TOWN, KUNDAPURA UDUPI DISTRICT 576201 REP BY ITS CHIEF EDITOR 59. THE PUBLISHERS AND BROADCASTERS WELFARE ASSOCIATION OF KARNATAKA C/O PRESS CLUB, BENGALURU-560001 REP BY ITS SECRETARY 60. POWER TV CHANNEL NO.150, INFANTRY ROAD VASANTH NAGAR, BENGALURU-052 Digitally Signed By: SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM Verified - 11 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010385872019 NC: 2026:KHC:52793 WP No. 25723 of 2019 61. NEWS X KANNADA CHANNEL 9/7, YAMUNA BAI ROAD MADHAVA NAGAR GANDHI NAGAR, BENGALURU-09 62. NEWS 1 KANNADA CHANNEL 44/2, 2ND FLOOR, DEWADAS ROAD SUNNADAKERI RAHMAIA MOHALLU MYSURU-570004 63. NAMMA KUDLA NEWS 24X7 CLASSIQUE ARCADE, 4TH FLOOR, KSR ROAD, HAMPANAKATTE MANGALORE-575001 64. V4 MEDIA V4 MEDIA BUILDING AIRPORT ROAD, YEYYADI MANGALORE-575008 65. C4U CHANNEL RAMESH BHAT BUILDING NEAR VBL COLLEGE, KUNJIBETTU UDUPI 576101 66. SUDDI TV GROUND FLOOR, TTMC BUILDING BMTC, KH ROAD, SHANTHI NAGAR BANGALORE-560027 …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. NIMISHA KUMAR, ADVOCATE FOR R1 AND R2; SRI. SUMANA NAGANAND, ADVOCATE FOR R5 AND R21; SMT. P.V. KALPANA, ADVOCATE FOR R9 AND R29; SRI. G.V. SUDHAKAR, ADVOCATE FOR R11 AND R12; SRI. SANDEEP S. SHAHAPUR, ADVOCATE FOR R18, R31 AND R32; SRI. SUYOG HERELE E., ADVOCATE FOR R25; SRI. AJAY J. NANDALIKE, ADVOCATE FOR R48; Digitally Signed By: SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM Verified - 12 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010385872019 NC: 2026:KHC:52793 WP No. 25723 of 2019 R3, R4, R7, R8, R10, R15, R16, R19, R20, R22, R23, R24, R26; R27, R28, R30, R33, R34, R38, R39, R40 TO R47, R50 TO R53, R55, R56, R60, R62-R65 ARE SERVED AND UNREPRESENTED) THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO QUASH THE ORDER DATED 15.6.2019 TO AN EXTENT OF NOT CONSIDER THE APPLICATION I.A.NO.1 FILED UNDER ORDER XXXIX RULE 1 AND 2 IN O.S.NO.4203 OF 2019 , III ADDL. CITY CIVIL AND SESSIONS JUDGE, BANGALORE VIDE ANNEXURE-A. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM ORAL ORDER The petitioner, who is the plaintiff before the Trial Court, has called in question the order passed on I.A.No.1 filed under Order XXXIX Rules 1 and 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, whereby the learned Trial Judge, by a reasoned order, declined to grant ad-interim ex-parte injunction and directed issuance of notice to the respondents. 2. Instead of availing the efficacious remedy of appeal under Order XLIII Rule 1(r) of the Code of Civil Digitally Signed By: SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM Verified - 13 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010385872019 NC: 2026:KHC:52793 WP No. 25723 of 2019 Procedure, 1908, the petitioner has approached this Court by filing the present writ petition in the year 2019. 3. This Court had initially granted an interim order restraining the respondents from publishing or broadcasting any news report, information or material relating to the subject matter of the suit. However, the said interim order was not extended subsequently. In the interregnum, some of the defendants have entered appearance and have filed their written statements and objections. 4. Having regard to the aforesaid circumstances, this Court is of the view that the present writ petition is not maintainable, particularly when the petitioner had an efficacious statutory remedy under Order XLIII Rule 1(r) of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 which remedy has not been availed. 5. Nevertheless, liberty is reserved to the petitioner to seek an early hearing of I.A.No.1 before the Trial Court. Digitally Signed By: SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM Verified - 14 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010385872019 NC: 2026:KHC:52793 WP No. 25723 of 2019 The Trial Court shall consider the said application on its merits, notwithstanding the fact that service has not yet been completed upon the remaining defendants, in accordance with law. 6. However, having regard to the fact that the interim order granted by this Court vide order dated 20.06.2019 was not extended on the last date of hearing, this Court is of the view that some interim protection ought to be afforded to the petitioner till the Trial Court considers and disposes of I.A.No.1 filed under Order XXXIX Rules 1 and 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. 7. Accordingly, the interim order granted by this Court vide order dated 20.06.2019 is extended till the disposal of I.A.No.1 by the Trial Court. 8. The Trial Court shall endeavour to consider and dispose of I.A.No.1 expeditiously, in accordance with law. Digitally Signed By: SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM Verified - 15 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010385872019 NC: 2026:KHC:52793 WP No. 25723 of 2019 With the aforesaid liberty and direction, the writ petition stands disposed of. (SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM) JUDGE NBM List No.: 1 Sl No.: 10 Digitally Signed By: SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM Verified