'Generating Panic Amongst Citizens': Karnataka High Court Refuses To Stay FIR Against Doctor Over 'Spurious Milk' Reel

The Karnataka High Court on Monday (June 22) refused to stay probe in an FIR against a doctor who was booked after she allegedly made a Reel on Instagram regarding a strawberry flavoured milk product, claiming that it was spurious. 

As per reports, the Doctor was booked for spreading misinformation regarding the product. 

During the hearing today the petitioner's counsel said that the petitioner is a doctor who had commented on "Reels" about Nandini Milk products. The counsel said that the petitioner had only stated about the strawberry flavoured items. 

To this Justice M Nagaprasanna orally asked, "How can you tell that madam? You are generating panic amongst all citizens...Are you certified? Have you tested it? Have you communicated it to the government".

The counsel however said that the petitioner had meanwhile apologised. 

The court however orally said:

"You cannot generate panic like this saying milk is spurious. That strawberry flavour is not good. Why do you have to do all this? Drop of the hat you make statements and create problems in the society. Instagram is not for that".

"Issue notice...No stay. I will permit investigation," the court dictated in its order. 

The court was hearing the doctor's plea seeking quashing of an FIR for offences under Section 353(1)(b) BNS and 66(D) (Punishment for cheating by personation by using computer resource) IT Act. Section 353(1)(b) states Whoever makes, publishes or circulates any statement, false information, rumour, or report, including through electronic means with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public, or to any section of the public whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against the State or against the public tranquillity shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both

In the interim the petitioner had sought stay on the probe.

Case title: SMT. DR. SHARANYA PADMA v/s STATE OF KARNATAKA AND ANOTHER

CRL.P 6470/2026