The Karnataka High Court has permitted police to continue their investigation against a Bengaluru-based doctor who came under scrutiny for posting social media reels questioning the safety and quality of Nandini milk products.
The court declined to interfere with the ongoing probe, observing that the investigation was still at a preliminary stage and that authorities should be allowed to examine the allegations before any judicial intervention.
Reels sparked controversy
The case relates to a series of videos allegedly uploaded by the doctor on social media platforms, in which concerns were raised about the quality and safety of milk supplied under the Nandini brand.
The videos reportedly attracted significant public attention and triggered complaints from individuals associated with the dairy sector.
Nandini is the flagship dairy brand of the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) and is widely consumed across Karnataka.
Court declines to halt investigation
The doctor had approached the High Court seeking relief against the criminal proceedings initiated over the reels.
However, the court allowed the investigation to continue, noting that police must be given an opportunity to ascertain whether the content amounted to misinformation, defamation or any other offence under applicable laws.
The court reportedly clarified that its observations were limited to the continuation of the investigation and not a determination of guilt.
Debate over social media responsibility
The case has reignited discussions around the responsibilities of professionals and content creators when sharing health-related information on digital platforms.
Legal experts note that while freedom of expression is protected, statements relating to public health and consumer products can attract scrutiny if authorities believe they are misleading or unsupported by evidence.
The outcome of the investigation is expected to determine whether further legal action will be pursued against the doctor