Sanu gets interim relief in ₹50 cr defamation case against ex-wife
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday granted interim relief to singer Kumar Sanu in a ₹50 crore defamation suit against his ex-wife, Rita Bhattacharya. The court issued a gag order restraining Bhattacharya and certain independent media platforms from making or circulating allegedly defamatory statements against the singer or his family on social media, print, or digital platforms.
The order was passed by Justice Anil Menon, who heard the petition filed by Sanu through his lawyers. The singer had approached the court seeking an injunction against his ex-wife and certain media platforms, alleging that they were publishing and circulating defamatory statements against him and his family.
Sanu’s petition claimed that Bhattacharya had been making false and malicious statements against him on social media and other platforms, which had caused harm to his reputation and goodwill. The petition also alleged that certain media platforms had been publishing and circulating these statements without verifying their accuracy, thereby causing further damage to Sanu’s reputation.
The court, after hearing the arguments, observed that prima facie, it appeared that Bhattacharya and the media platforms had been making and circulating defamatory statements against Sanu and his family. The court also noted that Sanu had made out a case for interim relief, as the alleged defamatory statements had the potential to cause irreparable harm to his reputation and goodwill.
In its order, the court restrained Bhattacharya and the media platforms from making or circulating any further defamatory statements against Sanu or his family on social media, print, or digital platforms. The court also directed them to remove all existing defamatory content from their platforms within a specified timeframe.
The court’s order is a significant relief for Sanu, who had been seeking to protect his reputation and goodwill from the alleged defamatory statements. The singer had claimed that the statements made by his ex-wife and the media platforms had caused him significant emotional distress and financial losses, and had damaged his reputation in the music industry.
The case highlights the importance of protecting one’s reputation and goodwill in the digital age. With the rise of social media and online platforms, it has become easier for individuals to make and circulate defamatory statements against others. However, the law provides remedies for those who are victims of defamation, and the court’s order in this case is a testament to the fact that the judiciary will not hesitate to intervene when necessary to protect an individual’s reputation and goodwill.
The court’s order also underscores the need for media platforms to exercise caution and responsibility when publishing or circulating content that may be defamatory in nature. The media has a significant role to play in shaping public opinion, and it is essential that they verify the accuracy of the information they publish or circulate to avoid causing harm to individuals or their reputations.
In conclusion, the Bombay High Court’s order granting interim relief to Kumar Sanu in the ₹50 crore defamation suit against his ex-wife is a significant development in the case. The order highlights the importance of protecting one’s reputation and goodwill in the digital age and underscores the need for media platforms to exercise caution and responsibility when publishing or circulating content that may be defamatory in nature. The case is a reminder that the law provides remedies for those who are victims of defamation, and the judiciary will not hesitate to intervene when necessary to protect an individual’s reputation and goodwill.
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