The Telangana High Court has directed social media platforms and television channels not to publish or telecast content related to a POCSO case against Bandi Sai Bhageerath, son of Union minister of state for home affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, as reported by Hyderabad Mail.
Justice EV Venugopal also directed the Union ministries of information and broadcasting (I&B) and information technology (IT), the Telangana home secretary and the director general of police to file their counter-affidavits within four weeks, Hyderabad Mail reported.
The court included Google LLC, Meta Platforms, X Corp, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube among the respondents, Hyderabad Mail reported.
Senior counsel Avinash Desai, appearing for Bhageerath, said Petbasheerabad police registered the case under Sections 74 and 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 11 and 12 of the POCSO Act, 2012, Hyderabad Mail reported.
The case involves allegations of sexual abuse and rape, he submitted, Hyderabad Mail reported. Desai said Bhageerath received regular bail on July 9, Hyderabad Mail reported.
These directives are significant for citizens in Telangana as they ensure limitations on media coverage and privacy in judicial proceedings, especially in sensitive cases.