New Delhi, Aug. 8 -- The Supreme Court on Friday ordered a trial court in Karnataka to reconsider a petition by the Dharmasthala Temple secretary seeking to block the publication of allegedly defamatory reports related to the Dharmasthala mass burials case.

A bench of Justices Rajesh Bindal and Manmohan questioned whether a media gag was required in the matter.

"We direct the trial court to decide the application within two weeks from the next day of hearing. Any observations made by the High Court shall not influence the trial court while entertaining the application for stay afresh," the apex court ordered.

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the temple administration, contended that day after day, news channels and social me...