Shilpa Shetty moves Bombay High Court against 'defamatory' content published in media

Actor Shilpa Shetty approached the Bombay High Court seeking an injunction against "incorrect, false, malicious and defamatory" content published in the media in connection with her husband Raj Kundra’s alleged involvement in a porn production and distribution case, the Times of India reported.

Citing several reports, Shetty demanded compensation of Rs 25 crore, an unconditional apology from some media houses, and the deletion of all defamatory content.

According to Bar and Bench, the New Indian Express, India TV, Free Press Journal and NDTV were some of the organisations made party in the plea, along with Facebook and Instagram.

In her application, TOI reported, Shetty said that news reports in the context of Kundra's case, without verifying details, had damaged her character and reputation. She said she was being painted as "a criminal and a woman who has abandoned her husband due to the ongoing investigation against him".

As a consequence, she said in her application, her reputation had been lowered "in the eyes of the public, including her fans, followers, brand endorsement companies, business associates and peers" and had also maligned the images of her family members, including her parents and minor children.

Times of India reported that Shetty also submitted that "her reputation is an inextricable part of her right to life under Article 21 of the constitution...She also suggested that certain sections of the media must permanently be restrained from publishing false content about her and the damages caused by such coverage can never be compensated by money".

Meanwhile, a Mumbai court dismissed Kundra's bail application on Wednesday.