The Karnataka High Court has refused to quash criminal proceedings against the Managing Director and CEO of Prajashakti Channel over a YouTube video that allegedly portrayed Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwar as being in a relationship with Tumakuru District Collector Shubha Kalyan.
Justice V. Srishananda passed the order on September 7, 2026, while hearing petitions filed by Shabbir Pasha and V. Kusuma. The Court directed that the investigation should continue.
Background of the Case
The case arose from a complaint concerning a video titled “DCM Parameshwar Love Story”, uploaded on the YouTube channel “Detective Legends”. The petitioners were alleged to have provided the voice-over for the video.
The case was registered under Sections 79 and 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with provisions of the Information Technology Act. Two FIRs relating to the same incident were also registered at different police stations.
Counsel for the petitioners argued that the main allegations were against another accused and that there were no specific allegations against the petitioners.
The Bench questioned the nature of the statements made in the video and their possible effect on the dignity of the persons referred to in it.
“The background voice in the program is yours. You are the one who said that the Deputy Chief Minister is in love with the District Collector. Would it be okay if somebody spoke like this about the daughters of your house? Do you alone have protection of Article 21 of the Constitution? Don't they?”
The Court also questioned why routine professional interactions between a minister and a woman district officer were being portrayed as a romantic relationship.
At the same time, the Court questioned the State over registering two cases concerning the same incident. It directed the State to retain one case and close the other by filing an appropriate memo.
Justice V. Srishananda declined to quash the criminal proceedings against the petitioners and permitted the investigation to continue.
The matter was posted for September 11 in connection with the State’s memo regarding the two FIRs.
