Thu Mar 13 10:40:27 UTC 2025: ## Karnataka DGP Secures Gag Order Against Media Coverage of Stepdaughter’s Gold Smuggling Arrest

**Bengaluru, March 13, 2025** – The Karnataka High Court has issued a temporary injunction preventing 39 media outlets from publishing or broadcasting any content deemed defamatory towards K. Ramachandra Rao, Director General of Police (Karnataka Police Housing Corporation Ltd). The injunction follows Rao’s petition citing negative media coverage related to the arrest of his stepdaughter, actor Ranya Rao, for gold smuggling from Dubai.

Ranya Rao was arrested on March 3rd by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). Following the arrest, Mr. Rao claims numerous media platforms published and broadcast false and defamatory information damaging his reputation.

The High Court’s ex parte order, issued on March 10th, temporarily halts the dissemination of such content until the next hearing scheduled for a later date. Mr. Rao’s petition also seeks the removal of already published defamatory material. The order comes after a lower court issued an emergent notice to the media but deferred a decision on the injunction until April 23rd, prompting Mr. Rao to appeal to the High Court. The temporary injunction represents a significant development in the ongoing legal battle.

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