The Bombay High Court on Wednesday granted interim relief to veteran playback singer Kumar Sanu in the Rs 50 crore defamation suit filed against his ex-wife Rita Bhattacharya. The court passed a gag order barring Bhattacharya and some independent media platforms from making or telecasting allegedly defamatory statements against the singer or his family.
Bombay High Court grants interim relief to Kumar Sanu in Rs 50 crore defamation case against ex-wife Rita Bhattacharya
Justice Milind Jadhav restrained Bhattacharya along with certain media houses from writing, speaking, posting, publishing or broadcasting allegedly defamatory, false or defamatory material about Sanu “in any form or medium”. The court said that the interviews given by Bhattacharya appear to go beyond the limits of impartial comment.
The court said, “I am of the opinion that at certain places in the interviews given by Bhattacharya, there is a clear personal attack against Sanu, which is prima facie qualified by the words used therein.”
Apart from the gag order, the high court restrained Bhattacharya from posting or circulating any alleged defamatory or misleading material regarding Sanu on social media, print or digital platforms till the interim application is heard.
During the proceedings, lawyer Atif Shaikh, appearing for Bhattacharya, urged the court to refer the matter to arbitration, citing the recent marriage of the couple’s son. While the court recorded the request, it made it clear that Bhattacharya should immediately exercise restraint and ensure that no further reputational damage or insinuations are leveled against the singer.
Advocate Sana Raees Khan, appearing for Sanu, said that the interview has caused serious financial and personal loss to her client. He informed the court that due to the alleged statements pre-scheduled international shows were canceled and his professional position was adversely affected. Khan also pointed out that Sanu’s personality rights were earlier protected by the Delhi High Court.
Granting injunctive relief against any new statements, the court adjourned Khan’s plea seeking deletion of the allegedly objectionable interviews. The bench said it would consider the request after receiving replies from the respondents.
The high court directed Khan to inform the court by the next date whether Sanu would be willing to participate in the arbitration, making it clear that such arbitration would take place without prejudice to his rights and disputes. The next hearing of the case is to be held on January 28.
Sanu has filed the lawsuit in connection with an interview given by Bhattacharya on YouTube channel Film Window, Viral Bhayani and Siddharth Kannan in September 2025. According to the plaintiff, the interviews contained false and scandalous allegations related to Sanu’s conduct during their marriage and were widely circulated through clips and reels.
The lawsuit claims that the video received more than 1.5 million simultaneous views, resulting in irreparable damage to Sanu’s goodwill, decreased professional inquiries and engagement opportunities, and an increase in abusive comments on social media.
Shaikh appeared for Bhattacharya along with advocates Ayesha Ahmed and Shanu Chaturvedi, who was 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.
