Injunction On Media From Publishing BJP MLA Sanjeeva Matandoor’s “Morphed” Images

A City Civil Court in Bengaluru has passed an ex-parte interim injunction order preventing the media from publishing allegedly ‘morphed’ images of BJP leader Sanjeeva Matandoor ahead of the state’s Assembly elections.

The Legislator filed a suit, claiming that an election is approaching and that his party is expected to announce his candidature for the Puttur MLA constituency. However, in order to harm his reputation in the eyes of the public, some miscreants distorted his photograph with some strange women and began sharing it on social media.

Matandoor stated that if the aforementioned act is carried out, it will cause damage to his reputation that cannot be compensated in any way, because politicians rely on their reputation and character as an asset in elections.

After considering the averments, the bench stated, “If the above submission made by the plaintiff is considered, this court is of the opinion that if the defendants media proceed to telecast the news with morphed photographs and videos that would cause irreparable hardship to the plaintiff’s character and reputation.”

“Thus, this court is of the opinion that the plaintiff made out the prima facie case that the defendants media would publish the unverified defamatory news and articles and also telecast the videos,” it continued. “In that case, the amount of damage done to the plaintiff’s reputation in public cannot be compensated in any way.”

As a result, the bench passed a temporary injunction prohibiting the defendants from telecasting, broadcasting, or printing any news about the BJP leader, as well as showing defamatory live images, still images, and visuals, until the case is heard on the merits.

The matter has been listed for further consideration on 26^th June, 2023.