India, Aug. 1 -- The Karnataka High Court on Friday struck down a media gag order imposed by a lower court in the ongoing Dharmasthala mass burials case, calling it an unconstitutional restraint on free speech.

Justice M Nagaprasanna, who delivered the ruling, held that the public's right to know cannot be curtailed, especially in a matter involving allegations of serious institutional failure and the possibility of criminal wrongdoing, India Today reported.

The High Court's order came in response to a petition filed by the YouTube channel Kudle Rampage, which was one of 338 respondents barred from publishing any content related to the case.

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