Gold smuggling case: High court wants stricter watch on defaming of Ranya Rao

BENGALURU: The high court on Tuesday directed the centre to take appropriate steps to prevent media from publishing or broadcasting false or defamatory content against actor Ranya Rao and her father, IPS officer K Ramchandra Rao.

Justice M Nagaprasanna passed the order after Ramchandra's counsel claimed that despite court's order, media channels were still airing programmes against him. On the other hand, counsel for HP Rohini, Ranya's mother and petitioner in another petition, submitted that media had stopped airing programmes about the actor.

Deputy solicitor general Shanthi Bhushan H, representing the central govt, submitted that appropriate instructions had already been issued to media houses. "The govt shall ensure strict implementation of the direction as directed earlier. List the matter in the first week of June," Justice Nagaprasanna said while adjourning the hearing.

Ranya was arrested on March 3 in connection with a gold smuggling case.