Mumbai: Actor Richa Chadha filed a defamation suit for Rs 1.1 crore in damages from actor Payal Ghosh and others, including unknown persons, over “defamatory statements” made against her in a news channel interview.

The matter was scheduled for hearing before Justice Anil Menon of Bombay High Court on Monday. When it came up for a virtual hearing via video-conferencing, Chhada’s counsel Virendra Tulzapurkar and Saveena Bedi Sachar said that, the other side was not represented before the court. No one appeared for Ghosh or others. The HC then directed that the matter be listed on October 7 and asked for documents to be re-served on the defendants.

Chadha is seeking relief against Ghosh and others from publishing any allegedly defamatory content against her or “using her name in any defamatory manner whatsoever, in relation to any disputes between Ghosh and film ma ker Anurag Kashyap”.

----------------------

Richa Chadha has taken legal action against Payal Ghosh after the latter took Richa’s name among others in a TV interview where she accused filmmaker Anurag Kashyap of sexual harassment.

On September 21, Richa issued a statement through her advocate that condemned the act of her name being dragged into the controversy. Following the notice, a defamation suit was filed by Richa primarily against Payal and others for maligning her name.

A source revealed, “The matter was listed on Monday in the Bombay High Court. The court was informed by advocate Saveena Bedi Sachar (Richa’s lawyer) that the defendants had been served the suit, but none of them had appeared before the court. The court has directed that the matter be listed on October 7 and has asked for the documents to be served on the defendants once again.” Richa’s lawyer said, “Since the matter is sub judice, I can’t say much. But I believe that the statements against Richa Chadha are defamatory and can affect any self-respecting woman. I am sure justice will be done.”

----------------------

Richa Chadha has filed a lawsuit in the Bombay High Court against Payal Ghosh, Kamaal R Khan (KRK) and a news channel for alleged defamatory statements against her, seeking Rs 1.10 crore in damages from them.

The actor has sought an order from the court for restraining them and unknown others from making any more defamatory statements. She has also sought withdrawal of the defamatory videos and tweets besides a public apology on Twitter and their websites.

The alleged defamatory statements were first made by Ghosh in an interview on September 19, and were reiterated in several other interviews. Chadha, in her petition filed through advocate Saveena Bedi Sachar, says the defamatory statements continued even after sending them a legal notice.

As for KRK, it is alleged that he not only posted the interview on social media but also added a slew of defamatory tweets to it.

Chadha says it was “evil and misogynistic” on Ghosh’s part to comment on her appearance to “lynch” her hard-earned reputation in order to wrongfully gain publicity.

The hearing before Justice A K Menon in the Bombay High Court on Monday was adjourned until October 7 after the advocates for the defendants failed to appear.

The court has allowed Chadha to serve the parties with a notice again.