The Delhi High Court on Thursday restrained Telangana Rakshana Sena president Kalvakuntla Kavitha from making, publishing or disseminating allegations that The Pioneer newspaper had been secretly acquired by her brother and Bharat Rashtra Samithi working president K T Rama Rao, and that the publication now reflects the views of the BRS.
Justice Sachin Datta, who heard the matter, also passed similar restrictions against several YouTube channels, digital platforms, journalists and publishers accused of making or amplifying the allegations concerning the newspaper.
In its order, the High Court directed Kavitha not to publish, republish, broadcast or otherwise disseminate the allegedly defamatory statements and imputations against The Pioneer.
“Considering the circumstances, Kavitha is restrained from publishing, republishing, broadcasting or disseminating in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, the defamatory statements and imputations contained in the plaint or any other content containing the same or similar allegations against the plaintiff or The Pioneer on any platform,” the court said.
The court extended the restraint to various YouTube channels, digital platforms, journalists and publishers. They have also been restrained from making or circulating similar allegations or content concerning the newspaper.
The dispute relates to allegations attributed to Kavitha that The Pioneer had been secretly acquired by KTR and that the newspaper had subsequently begun reflecting the political position or views of the BRS.
The allegations became the subject of legal proceedings, with the newspaper seeking protection against what it described as defamatory statements and imputations.
After considering the circumstances of the case, the High Court issued an interim restraint covering not only the specific statements referred to in the plaint but also other content containing the same or similar allegations.
