The Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge Vijaya Kumar Rai B, who previously granted an interim order instructing the takedown of reports concerning a case registered at the Dharmasthala police station over alleged mass burials, has recused himself from hearing the matter. 

The move comes after one of the defendants raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest.

It was earlier pointed out that Judge Vijaya Kumar Rai B of the 10th Additional City Civil and Sessions Court in Bengaluru had both studied at and been employed by institutions associated with the Dharmasthala establishment.