The Bombay High Court has issued an interim order restraining media organisations and online platforms from referring to Aashirwad, the iconic bungalow once owned by late superstar Rajesh Khanna, as ‘haunted’, ‘cursed’ or ‘unlucky’. The order came after businessman Shashi Shetty, the current owner of the property, argued that such descriptions were defamatory and affected his right to live peacefully.
Ashok Chandani, the lawyer representing Shetty, filed a petition before the court claiming that the media’s portrayal of Aashirwad as a haunted or cursed bungalow was causing significant distress to his client and affecting his ability to sell the property. The lawyer argued that the media’s reporting was based on unverified sources and hearsay, and that it was spreading misinformation and creating a negative perception about the property.
Defamation Claims
The Bombay High Court, presided over by Justice Arif S Doctor, took cognisance of the petition and passed an ad-interim order restraining the media from making such defamatory statements. The court observed that the allegations made against the property were unsubstantiated and were causing harm to Shetty’s reputation. The court also noted that the media’s reporting was affecting Shetty’s right to live peacefully in the property and was also impacting his ability to sell the property.
In its order, the court also directed the media to remove any existing content that referred to Aashirwad as a haunted or cursed bungalow. The court also asked the media to refrain from publishing any further reports that could be perceived as defamatory. The court’s order is a significant development in the case and has sent a strong message to the media about the consequences of spreading misinformation.
Impact on Media
The Bombay High Court’s order has significant implications for the media in India. It highlights the need for the media to be responsible and accurate in their reporting. The court’s order also raises important questions about the role of the media in society and the need for the media to be mindful of the impact of their reporting on individuals and communities.
The order is also a reminder that the media has a responsibility to verify information before publishing it. In this case, the media’s failure to verify information led to the spread of misinformation and caused harm to an individual’s reputation. The court’s order is a wake-up call for the media to be more responsible and accurate in their reporting.
What Next?
The next step in the case will be for the petitioner, Ashok Chandani, to file a detailed affidavit in support of his client’s claim. The affidavit will provide more information about the damages caused to Shetty’s reputation and the steps he has taken to mitigate the harm. The media organisations will also have to file their responses to the court’s order and explain their position on the matter.
The case is a significant one and has far-reaching implications for the media in India. It highlights the need for the media to be responsible and accurate in their reporting and the need for the media to be mindful of the impact of their reporting on individuals and communities.