The High Court has issued an interim injunction preventing a complainant from sharing videos on social media relating to an ongoing criminal case, a move aimed at safeguarding the court’s integrity and ensuring a fair trial. This decision arose during a hearing led by High Court Judge Justice Sunil Sharma on January 27, 2026.
The case centers around Ana Masere, who faces multiple charges, including two counts of causing harm through electronic communications, two counts of indecently annoying a person, and one count of breaching bail conditions. These charges are linked to a TikTok video allegedly posted by Ms. Masere, which included derogatory remarks about the complainant, Ashika Sharma. Following the release of this video, it has been reported that Ms. Sharma attempted to take her own life.
Defense attorney Mohammed Saneem filed for the injunction in order to prevent Ms. Sharma, also known as “Electra,” from posting any further content related to the case. The court was informed that the complainant had been using social media to share videos featuring Ms. Masere while incarcerated, employing filters in these posts.
Mr. Saneem argued that these “TikTok battles” could influence the trial’s outcome and dissuade potential witnesses from stepping forward due to fear of social media backlash. He highlighted the critical need to uphold the court’s integrity, noting that Ms. Sharma had posted a video just 15 hours before the hearing.
State lawyer Joeli Nasa described the request for an injunction as unusual and sought additional time to formulate a response. He expressed his need to view the video in question before making any decisions regarding the matter.
Justice Sharma made it clear that the court must take action to prevent ongoing social media activity that could taint the proceedings. He emphasized the importance of not allowing the case to be publicly discussed during its progression.
In his decision, Justice Sharma stated that, due to the ongoing nature of the case, it is essential to maintain the integrity of court proceedings. Therefore, he ordered that Ashika Sharma be restrained from sharing any content related to the case on social media until further notice. He labeled this order as tentative and subject to change.
The case is scheduled to be revisited on February 20, marking a pivotal moment for all parties involved as they continue to navigate the complexities of both the legal system and the impact of social media on judicial processes.
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