Kumar Sanu has secured interim relief in his ₹50 crore defamation case against his ex-wife, Rita Bhattacharya. The Bombay High Court has restrained Bhattacharya from making any further defamatory statements against the singer and his family across any media platform.
The legal battle began when Kumar Sanu filed a defamation suit against Bhattacharya in the Bombay High Court last year, alleging that her statements had damaged his reputation. Sanu's legal team, led by advocate Sana Raees Khan, argued that Bhattacharya's interviews caused immense financial and personal loss to the singer. Bhattacharya reportedly gave interviews to platforms like Viral Bhayani and Film Window, where she made allegations of mistreatment during her pregnancy, claiming Sanu deprived her of food, confined her to the kitchen, and denied her medical care. Sanu's team has refuted these claims, calling them false and malicious. They also stated that the couple's 2001 divorce agreement contained a clause preventing either party from making allegations against the other.
Justice Milind Jadhav, presiding over the hearing, passed a gag order in favor of Kumar Sanu, preventing Rita Bhattacharya and some independent media houses from disseminating any defamatory content about the singer or his family in any form. The court observed that Bhattacharya's interviews went beyond fair comment and contained a "personal tirade" against Sanu. Justice Jadhav stated that some parts of the interviews featured a clear personal tirade against Sanu, which was "prima facie qualified by words that are used therein". The court also barred Bhattacharya from posting or circulating any defamatory content about Kumar Sanu on social media, print, or digital platforms until the interim application hearing.
While the court granted an injunction against fresh statements, it denied the request to remove the interviews in question immediately. This issue will be considered after receiving replies from the defendants.
Kumar Sanu expressed his gratitude to the Bombay High Court and his advocate for protecting his dignity. He stated that his reputation was the result of years of dedication, and his family should not have to suffer because of defamatory statements. Sana Raees Khan, Sanu's lawyer, echoed this sentiment, expressing happiness with the court's order and emphasizing that it protects the singer's reputation, which he built through decades of hard work and public trust. She added that they have always had and will continue to have faith in the judiciary and that the decision reinforces that dignity and reputation are legally protected rights.
Rita Bhattacharya's advocate, Atif Noor Hasan Shaikh, attended the court on Wednesday and requested the bench to refer the matter for mediation, arguing it would "sub-serve their interest". He stated that Rita respects the court and will be present at the next hearing. He added that her reply and supporting evidence would be presented to the court through due process, as she has full faith in the judicial process and is confident that the truth will prevail. He also said that for the sake of Kumar Sanu and their three sons, she is open to exploring an amicable resolution, including mediation, as requested by the court.
The couple, who married in 1986 and separated in 1994, finalized their divorce in 2001. The next hearing is scheduled for January 28.
Initially, Kumar Sanu had sought ₹30 lakh in damages. However, it was later reported that he is seeking ₹50 crore in damages for the alleged defamation.
