Bengaluru court blocks circulation of videos about Siddaramaiah

A Bengaluru court has temporarily barred the circulation of videos and related material linking former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to an alleged sting operation, granting an injunction after he sought legal protection against content he says is defamatory. The Additional City Civil and Sessions Court issued the ex-parte order on October 13. It directs the defendants to stop broadcasting, publishing, sharing or distributing specified videos and related captions, clips, transcripts and edited versions. The order also requires removal of the material and directs digital platforms to block access to it. The injunction covers a video dated September 27 and a broadcast dated October 2, along with related versions. The court’s order followed Siddaramaiah’s petition seeking to prevent further circulation of the content. The suit names 42 defendants, including media organisations and digital platforms, according to the plaint. Siddaramaiah has described the allegations as false and politically motivated, and said the content was intended to damage his reputation.