Karnataka High Court Refuses to Quash Criminal Proceedings Against News Executives Over Defamatory Video

The High Court of Karnataka has refused to quash criminal proceedings registered against senior executives of a digital media entity accused of producing and broadcasting defamatory content targeting Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara and Tumakuru District Collector Shubha Kalyan, an IAS officer. A single-judge bench of Justice V. Srishananda delivered the order while hearing petitions filed by Shabbir Pasha, Managing Director, and V. Kusuma, Chief Executive Officer of Prajashakti Channel. The petitioners had approached the High Court seeking the quashing of FIRs registered against them across two police stations in the state. The case originates from a video uploaded on a digital platform titled 'Detective Legends', which allegedly made explicit and defamatory insinuations regarding the public officials. Law enforcement agencies investigated the matter and booked the accused under Sections 79 and 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act. During the investigation, police gathered forensic evidence, including voice samples of the accused, which matched the audio track of the published video. Rejecting the plea to quash the charges, the court emphasized that judicial powers under Section 528 of the BNSS cannot be exercised to derail a legitimate criminal investigation where prima facie evidence exists. The ruling highlights the judiciary's firm stance against digital defamation and misuse of media platforms to tarnish the reputation of public servants.