Bengaluru: In a significant ruling reinforcing judicial authority and the limits of media conduct, a Bengaluru Rural district court has ordered the detention of Power TV Managing Director Rakesh Sanjeeva Shetty in civil prison for three months for wilfully violating a court injunction that restrained the channel from airing defamatory content against senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer B R Ravikanthe Gowda.

The order was passed by Principal Senior Civil Judge Abdul Saleem in a detailed 22-page judgment dated January 6, 2026, holding that Shetty, representing Power Smart Media Private Limited, knowingly and deliberately disobeyed an interim injunction issued earlier by the court.

Background of the case

The case stems from a civil suit filed by IPS officer B R Ravikanthe Gowda (57), who approached the court alleging that Power TV had broadcast programmes that were defamatory, derogatory and damaging to his reputation.

Acting on the petition, the court on September 8, 2023, passed an interim temporary injunction, restraining Power TV and 51 other defendants from broadcasting, publishing or circulating any content that was defamatory, negatively impacting or hazardous to the plaintiff.

Despite this explicit restraint, the court found that Power TV continued to air programmes targeting the IPS officer, leading to the present proceedings under Order 39 Rule 2A read with Section 151 of the Civil Procedure Code, which deals with consequences for disobedience of injunctions.

Court finds “wilful disobedience”

In its ruling, the court categorically held that the injunction was violated knowingly and intentionally.

“The petitioner/plaintiff by producing cogent evidence proved beyond all shadow of doubt that despite there being an interim order of temporary injunction passed by this court on 08.09.2023… the respondent wilfully committed disobedience or breach of the injunction order,” the judge observed.

The court noted that Power TV aired programmes on September 22 and 23, 2023, in which Ravikanthe Gowda was referred to using abusive and derogatory language in Kannada, including being labelled a “dushta IPS adhikari” (evil IPS officer).

Evidence examined by the court

During the proceedings, the court examined 10 photographs, marked as Exhibit P-9, which showed the IPS officer’s photograph in uniform displayed alongside derogatory captions.

One of the captions cited in the order read: “Dushta IPS, kotyanthara rupaayige adhikaari shadyantra”, roughly translated as “evil IPS officer’s conspiracy for crores of rupees.”

The court held that these visuals and captions clearly violated the spirit and letter of the injunction order, which explicitly barred any content that could defame or negatively impact the officer.

Knowledge of injunction established

A key factor in the court’s decision was its finding that Rakesh Sanjeeva Shetty had full knowledge of the injunction well before the alleged violations occurred.

Court records showed that on September 11, 2023, just three days after the injunction was granted, Power TV’s legal counsel appeared before the court seeking time to file objections. On September 12, 2023, the channel filed an interlocutory application.

“Therefore, it is very much clear that the respondent/defendant No.52 had knowledge of interim order of temporary injunction passed on 08.09.2023, if not earlier than 11.09.2023,” the judge stated.

This, the court concluded, ruled out any claim of ignorance or misunderstanding of the order.

Detention in civil prison ordered

After considering the facts and circumstances, the court ordered that Shetty be detained in civil prison for a period of three months. The detention will come into effect once the plaintiff deposits the subsistence allowance, as fixed by the state government.

The next hearing in the matter has been scheduled for January 31, 2026.

The court also noted that there was no material placed before it to show that the respondent owned attachable property, making detention an appropriate course of action under the law.

Reliefs sought by the IPS officer

In his original suit, IPS officer Ravikanthe Gowda had sought multiple reliefs, including:

  • A permanent injunction restraining Power TV from airing defamatory content
  • An unconditional public apology
  • Damages of Rs 20 lakh for reputational harm

The present order pertains specifically to the violation of the interim injunction, while the main suit is still pending adjudication.

No response from Power TV yet

As of now, Power TV, which is headquartered in Yeshwanthpur, Bengaluru, has not issued any public response to the court’s order directing the detention of its managing director.

Legal observers say the ruling sends a strong message on the consequences of disregarding court orders, especially in cases involving media freedom and individual reputation.

Conclusion

The Bengaluru Rural court’s order against Power TV MD Rakesh Sanjeeva Shetty underscores that freedom of expression does not extend to wilful defiance of judicial directives. By ordering civil imprisonment, the court has reaffirmed the principle that injunctions are binding and must be respected, regardless of the stature or influence of the parties involved.