HC confirms order directing Sun TV to pay ₹10-lakh compensation to actor Sukanya

Chennai: Madras high court has dismissed an appeal moved by Sun TV Network in 2015 challenging a decree passed by a civil court ordering payment of ₹10 lakh as damages to actor R Sukanya for broadcasting an interview of Nakkheeran R Gopal with forest brigade Veerappan in 1996 containing allegations against her.

Justice K Kumaresh Babu, observing the channel management had refused to issue a regret, said, “If such a regret had been published in its own broadcast, it would have reached the same viewer who would have seen the publication it had made earlier. This itself would show malice on the part of the appellant in only opting to give a regret in a third-party magazine, which was also not substantiated to have wider reach than its viewers.”

The issue pertains to a civil suit moved by Sukanya in 1996 against Sun TV Vetwork, Nakkheeran Gopal and sandalwood smuggler Veerappan. According to the actor, the channel telecasted an interview-based program titled “Nerukku Ner” as seven episodes from April 07, 1996, featuring an interview with Sandalwood smuggler late Veerappan who allegedly made defamatory statements against her. The statements were offensive to her dignity, she added.

However, the court relieved Nakkheeran Gopal from paying any damages, since the videos of the interview recorded by him were provided to the channel based on an agreement that Nakkheeran Gopal would not be liable to any consequences arising out of broadcasting the interview. Since Veerappan was killed in a police encounter, he was also relieved from the case. Aggrieved, the channel moved the high court challenging the civil court order.