Madras High Court Imposes ₹10 Lakh Fine on Sun TV for Privacy Violation Chennai: The Madras High Court has ruled in favor of actress Sukanya, imposing a ₹10 lakh fine on Sun TV for violating her privacy through a 1996 interview that contained defamatory remarks. The verdict, delivered by Justice K. Kumaresan, marks the conclusion of a 30-year legal battle that has spanned multiple court cases and public controversies. The court emphasized that media outlets bear responsibility for editorial control and the consequences of their content, particularly when it involves personal privacy and reputational harm. The case originated from an interview conducted in April 1996 as part of Sun TV’s “Nerukku Ner” program. The segment featured a controversial conversation with Veerappan, a notorious forest brigand, who accused Sukanya of having an extramarital affair with the son of former Prime Minister P. V. Narasimhan. Veerappan alleged that the relationship was recorded and used for political purposes, claiming it damaged Sukanya’s reputation and caused her emotional distress. Sukanya contested the claims, leading to a prolonged legal dispute. Sun TV initially defended itself, arguing that it merely aired the interview as recorded by the show’s editor, R. R. Gopal. The channel claimed it had no editorial control over the content and that the program was a factual report. However, the Madras High Court rejected this defense, stating that the channel had full authority to edit, modify, or omit parts of the interview. The court clarified that editorial control inherently carries the responsibility of ensuring content does not infringe on an individual’s privacy or dignity. The court also criticized Sun TV for failing to verify the accuracy of the allegations before broadcasting the interview.#madras_high_court #sukanya #sun_tv #veerappan #p_v_narasimhan
Senior Actress Sukanya Secures Major Relief in Defamation Case Against Sun TV A senior actress, Sukanya, has finally secured a just resolution in a defamation case that spanned nearly three decades. The Madras High Court recently upheld the decision of a lower court, ruling that Sun TV Network must pay her Rs. 10.01 lakh in compensation for damages caused by an interview featuring Veerappan, a controversial figure. The verdict, delivered after nearly 30 years of legal proceedings, marks a significant victory for Sukanya, who had long fought to hold the media outlet accountable for the harm caused by the broadcast. The case originated in 1996 when Veerappan, a notorious individual, appeared on Sun TV’s program Nerukku Ner and made inflammatory remarks that Sukanya claimed defamed her. She filed a defamation lawsuit, arguing that the interview’s content tarnished her reputation. In 2015, a trial court ruled in her favor, ordering Sun TV to pay the compensation. However, the network appealed, leading to the current high court review. The Madras High Court’s ruling emphasized that media organizations bear the responsibility to scrutinize content before broadcasting. The court reiterated that outlets like Sun TV must ensure their programming does not spread defamatory or harmful material. It noted that the interview in question was aired without proper verification, allowing damaging statements to reach a wide audience. The court’s decision to uphold the lower court’s compensation order underscores the importance of accountability in media practices. Sukanya’s legal battle highlights the challenges faced by individuals seeking justice in defamation cases, particularly when media entities are involved.#madras_high_court #sukanya #nerukku_ner #sun_tv_network #veerappan
