The Bombay High Court has passed an interim order restraining playback singer Kumar Sanu’s ex-wife Rita Bhattacharya from making any further defamatory or slanderous remarks against him. The order was issued in a defamation suit filed by Sanu seeking ₹50 crore in damages for alleged reputational harm.
Justice Milind Jadhav, hearing the matter on January 17, observed that prima facie the statements made by Bhattacharya appeared to be a “clear personal tirade” against the singer. The court restrained her and several independent media houses from “writing, posting or publishing any further defamatory, false, slanderous, or libellous statements” against Sanu or his family.
The suit stems from a series of interviews given by Bhattacharya to YouTube channels in September 2025, in which she allegedly made serious allegations about Sanu’s conduct during their marriage. The clips and excerpts from these interviews went viral on social media, prompting the singer to approach the court.
Sanu and Bhattacharya are legally separated. In his plea, the singer submitted that the remarks caused immense mental agony, personal distress, and significant financial loss, including the cancellation of several international shows. He also said that following his remarriage, he wished to protect the privacy and dignity of his current family.
Appearing for Bhattacharya, Advocate Atif Shaikh suggested that the matter be referred to mediation, citing recent family developments, including the marriage of the couple’s son. The court acknowledged the request but made it clear that Bhattacharya must immediately refrain from making any further damaging or insinuating remarks against Sanu in the meantime.
The case has been posted for further hearing on January 28.
The interim order is aimed at preventing further dissemination of allegedly defamatory content during the pendency of the defamation suit. While the court has not yet adjudicated on the merits of the ₹50 crore claim, it has taken note of the potential harm caused by public dissemination of private allegations.
