Madras High Court upholds Rs 10 Lakh compensation for actress Sukanya in defamation case against Sun TV

Actress R. Sukanya has received relief in a legal case after Madras High Court upheld an earlier court order directing Sun TV Network to pay around Rs 10 lakh in compensation to the actress.

The case was related to an interview which was given by forest brigand Veerappan in 1996. During the interview, certain statements were made about Sukanya, who later approached the court claiming that the comments were false and had damaged her reputation.

Court finds fault with broadcaster

The High Court then heard an appeal filed by the Sun TV Network against a 2015 order which was passed by a Chennai trial court. The broadcaster then challenged the amount and the permanent injunction granted in favour of the actress.

However, Justice K Kumaresh Babu observed that the channel had the authority to edit the interview before putting it on air. The court noted that Sun TV failed to do so even when they had the right to do it.

The judge also mentioned that the broadcaster later shared regret through a magazine but did not air the apology on its own channel. The court observed that an apology on the channel would have reached the same viewers who watched the original interview as per Live Law.

Allegations that led to the case

According to Sukanya, in the interview false claims were being made about her personal life. She added that Veerappan made defamatory remarks and linked her to the son of former Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao.

She maintained that the claims were completely false and untrue which harmed her dignity and public image.

Sukanya also told the court that the controversy had a negative impact on both her professional and personal life. She claimed that the interview affected her career opportunities and caused emotional distress.

The ruling brings closure to a case that began nearly 30 years ago.