The Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge at Bengaluru, Judge Vijay Kumar Rai has recused himself from a defamation case filed by Harshendra Kumar D of the Dharmasthala Temple family, after concerns were raised about his past education at SDM Law College, run by the same trust that manages the temple. The case involves a media gag order issued on July 18, restricting the publication of content related to mass grave allegations made by a sanitation worker.

Journalist Naveen Soorinje, whose content was impacted, flagged the judge’s connection, prompting Rai to seek a transfer of the case to ensure impartiality. Though he denied any personal link to the plaintiff, Rai formally requested reassignment under the Bangalore City Civil Courts Act.

The defamation suit sought removal of 8,842 online links allegedly harming the temple’s reputation. The gag order was later challenged by YouTube channels Third Eye and Kudla Rampage, with the Karnataka High Court quashing the order on August 1. Meanwhile, a Special Investigation Team continues to probe the underlying criminal allegations.