Kamal Ghorui
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday granted interim relief to Bollywood playback singer Kumar Sanu in his Rs 50 crore defamation suit against his ex-wife Rita Bhattacharya.As reported by Bar and Bench, Justice Milind Jadhav passed a gag order restraining Bhattacharya and certain independent media houses from writing, speaking, posting or publishing any allegedly defamatory, false or slanderous statements about the singer or his family across any platform.
‘Interviews went beyond fair comment,’ court observes
While passing the order, the court noted that Bhattacharya’s interviews crossed the line of 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 court observed.The court also restrained Bhattacharya from posting or circulating any allegedly defamatory or misleading content about Sanu on social media, print or digital platforms until the interim application is heard.Advocate Atif Shaikh, appearing for Bhattacharya, requested that the dispute be referred to mediation, pointing out that the couple’s son was recently married.The court recorded the request but made it clear that Bhattacharya must immediately restrain herself and ensure that no further reputational damage or insinuations are made against Sanu.
Kumar Sanu cites financial and professional losses
Appearing for the singer, advocate Sana Raees Khan argued that the interviews had caused immense personal and financial loss to Sanu, including the cancellation of pre-scheduled international shows. She also pointed out that Sanu’s personality rights had earlier been protected by the Delhi High Court.While the court granted injunctive relief against fresh statements, it deferred Khan’s request for the deletion of the allegedly objectionable interviews. The court said it would consider the issue after receiving replies from the defendants.The court also asked Khan to inform it by the next date whether Sanu would agree to mediation, without prejudice to his rights and contentions. The matter is scheduled to be heard next on January 28.
Allegations over viral interviews
Sanu has sued Bhattacharya over her September 2025 interviews on YouTube channels Film Window, Viral Bhayani and Siddharth Kannan. He has alleged that the interviews contained false and scandalous allegations about his conduct during their marriage and were widely circulated through clips and reels.According to the plaint, the videos collectively garnered over 1.5 million views, causing irreparable harm to his goodwill and professional prospects. The singer has also claimed a sharp decline in work-related inquiries and a surge of abusive comments on social media following the interviews. Advocate Shaikh appeared for Bhattacharya along with advocates Ayesha Ahmed and Shanu Chaturvedi, briefed by Zen Jurists India LLP. Advocates Amishi Sodani and Charu Shukla represented Google LLC, while advocates Rishabh Jaisani and Harit Lakhani, briefed by Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co, appeared for Meta.
