The bench passed the ad-interim injunction restraining Rita Bhattacharya and all persons acting on her behalf, including independent media houses, from writing, speaking, posting, publishing or disseminating any allegedly defamatory, false or slanderous statements about the singer or his family in any form or medium.
The Bombay High Court has restrained Bollywood playback singer Kumar Sanu’s ex-wife Rita Bhattacharya from “giving any contentious interviews” against him, as ad-interim relief in his Rs 50-crore defamation suit.
The bench of Justice Milind Jadhav passed the ad-interim injunction restraining Bhattacharya and all persons acting on her behalf, including independent media houses, from writing, speaking, posting, publishing or disseminating any allegedly defamatory, false or slanderous statements about the singer or his family in any form or medium.
The bench said that Bhattacharya “not give any further contentious interviews or continue with the tirade on the same line which are objected to by the Plaintiff.”
The bench noted that Bhattachrya’s interviews went beyond fair comment. “I am of the opinion that at some places in the interviews which have been given by Bhattacharya, there is a clear personal tirade against Sanu which is prima facie qualified by words that are used therein”, the judge observed.
The Court also injuncted her from posting or circulating any defamatory or misleading content about Sanu on social media, print or digital platforms pending hearing of the interim application.
Appearing for Bhattacharya, advocate Atif Shaikh requested that the dispute be referred to mediation, pointing out that the couple’s son was recently married.
The bench noted this, but clarified that Bhattacharya must immediately restrain herself and ensure no further reputational damage or insinuations against Sanu.
Advocate Sana Raees Khan appearing for Sanu requested for deletion of the defamatory contents at the earliest. Khan pointed out that Bhattacharya’s interviews had caused immense financial and personal loss, including cancellation of pre-determined shows abroad, and highlighted that his personality rights had earlier been protected by the Delhi High Court.
However, the bench said that it would consider Khan’s request for deletion of allegedly objectionable interviews after receiving replies from the defendants, including online platforms.
The judge also asked Khan to inform by next date if Sanu would agree for mediation without prejudice to his rights and contentions. The matter will be heard next on January 28.
