Veerendra Heggade-Linked Recusal Shakes Dharmasthala Case; High Court Upholds Press Freedom

The Karnataka High Court has decisively struck down a lower court's media gag order concerning the controversial Dharmasthala "mass burial" allegations, affirming the public’s fundamental right to information. This significant ruling coincided with a Bengaluru judge recusing himself from the contentious case, citing a conflict of interest tied to his past associations with institutions managed by Veerendra Heggade's family, intensifying scrutiny on judicial impartiality.

The judicial recusal stemmed from revelations that Judge Vijaya Kumar Rai B had both studied at SDM Law College, run by the Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Trust, and worked for a lawyer who previously represented D. Veerendra Heggade. This connection, involving Harshendra Kumar D, the brother of Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade and secretary of institutions run by the temple, necessitated the transfer of the case to the Principal City Civil Sessions Judge for reassignment, underscoring the critical importance of avoiding even the appearance of bias in judicial proceedings.

The High Court's decision to lift the ban on media reporting marks a pivotal victory for press freedom in India, particularly in an era grappling with the rapid dissemination of information and misinformation. The lower court's previous directive, issued on a petition filed by Harshendra Kumar D, had mandated the removal and de-indexing of over 8,800 web links related to the alleged mass burials, a move that drew widespread criticism from advocates of transparency and public accountability.

This development sets a crucial precedent, reiterating that the public's right to know cannot be easily curtailed, especially when allegations involve serious institutional failures and potential criminal wrongdoing. The court emphasized the need for unfettered reporting on the Special Investigation Team's ongoing probe into the alleged illegal burials, ensuring public oversight of a matter that has deeply unsettled local communities and beyond.

Dharmasthala, a revered pilgrimage center in Karnataka, holds immense cultural and religious significance, with the Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Trust playing a substantial role in education and philanthropy under the leadership of D. Veerendra Heggade. The gravity of the allegations, amplified by the involvement of a whistleblower who recently led police to an alleged burial site and claimed to have buried hundreds of bodies between 1995 and 2014, underscores the profound challenge of balancing institutional reputation with the imperative for truth and justice.

As the Principal City Civil Sessions Judge prepares to reassign the high-profile case, the legal battle continues to highlight the delicate equilibrium between protecting individual and institutional reputations and upholding the constitutional rights to free speech and a fair investigation. The unfolding narrative will likely shape future discourse on judicial ethics, media responsibility, and the unwavering pursuit of accountability in India's public life.