Published Oct 13, 2026 | 8:14 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 13, 2026 | 8:14 PM
Siddaramaiah. (X)
Synopsis: The court noted that Siddaramaiah served twice as the state’s chief minister and held several important constitutional, legislative, and ministerial responsibilities. “The allegations contained in the impugned material strike directly at his personal dignity, reputation and standing in public life,” the judge said.
A Bengaluru court on Tuesday, 13 October, issued a temporary restraining order barring media houses and social media from further publishing, circulating, or hosting a video clip, purportedly from a sting operation, that former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah said was intended to defame him.
Passing the order ex parte, Judge D Pushpanjali of the XIX Additional City Civil and Sessions Court directed the media to disable or block access to the video posted on YouTube.
The order is applicable subject to the plaintiff paying the requisite process fee and furnishing sufficient copies, the judge said.
Siddaramaiah had sought a temporary ex parte order restraining the defendants and related people from telecasting or publishing the video in any manner or through any medium.
The court noted that Siddaramaiah served twice as the state’s chief minister and held several important constitutional, legislative, and ministerial responsibilities. “The allegations contained in the impugned material strike directly at his personal dignity, reputation and standing in public life,” the judge said.
Siddaramaiah had moved the court on Monday, 12 October.
Also Read: Siddaramaiah sees character-assassination bid
In a separate but related development, Union Minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy on Tuesday demanded an impartial investigation into the alleged sting operations targeting political leaders. He also questioned Siddaramaiah’s decision to seek the court’s protection.
“Siddaramaiah should not be afraid. In my opinion, he has no need to obtain a stay. Whoever is encouraging such activities must be investigated impartially. The investigation should not be influenced by anyone,” he said.
Kumaraswamy alleged that Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has deployed four retired police officers and employed sophisticated equipment to allegedly monitor Cabinet ministers, while also claiming that his own phone was being tapped.
“Even my phone is being tapped. I discuss everything openly. I have nothing to keep secret. The phones of people connected with me are also being tapped. There is no doubt about it,” Kumaraswamy told reporters at the JD(S) party headquarters in Bengaluru.
Referring to the SIT investigation against the rape convict and his nephew Prajwal Revanna, Kumaraswamy said, “You demonstrated what an SIT could do. Now conduct an investigation into this matter as well, if you are so honest.”
Kumaraswamy said he would seek an appointment with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the issue.
“I will seek an appointment. I will provide whatever information I have and request that the Centre decide to conduct an investigation. Let us see what happens,” he said.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
