Bombay High Court Restrains Media From Calling Rajesh Khanna's Former Bungalow 'Cursed', 'Haunted', 'Unlucky'
The Bombay High Court recently restrained media houses and certain YouTube channels from posting anything defamatory or using words such as "unlucky, haunted, cursed or ill-omened" about the iconic 'Ashirwad' bungalow formerly owned by Bollywood superstar Rajesh Khanna. Single-judge Justice Arif Doctor passed the order while hearing the suit filed by businessman Shashi Kiran Shetty, who now...
The Bombay High Court recently restrained media houses and certain YouTube channels from posting anything defamatory or using words such as "unlucky, haunted, cursed or ill-omened" about the iconic 'Ashirwad' bungalow formerly owned by Bollywood superstar Rajesh Khanna.
Single-judge Justice Arif Doctor passed the order while hearing the suit filed by businessman Shashi Kiran Shetty, who now owns the bungalow situated at Mumbai's posh Carter Road in Bandra.
According to Shetty, who reconstructed new structure by demolishing the old one, he has continued to use the name "Ashirwad" for the said structure. However, he was disturbed to come across videos circulated by NDTV, Scoopwhoop and other media outlets stating that "Ashirwad" bungalow is "cursed" as it has finished the careers of three superstars. Some reports also listed the bungalow as one of the most "haunted" places in Mumbai.
Therefore, Shetty through senior Advocate Dr Birendra Saraf petitioned Justice Doctor's bench seeking an injunction against media outlets from posting such defamatory content as it violates his right to dignity and privacy. He also sought removal of the objectionable videos.
Justice Doctor after perusing the material on record, held that Shetty has come up with a primary facie strong case.
"I am prima facie of the view that the Plaintiff is wholly justified in seeking the reliefs which have been prayed for. The material, in my prima facie view is clearly defamatory of the Plaintiff so as to suggest that the Plaintiff lives in a haunted and so called cursed bungalow. Furthermore, it would also clearly impinge upon the Plaintiff's right to live peacefully and in dignity," Justice Doctor held.
Crucially, Justice Doctor in his July 24 order, noted that none of the Respondent media houses or YouTube channels, though served, appeared to even justify or defend any of these offending publications.
"Therefore, in my prima facie view, clearly such publications would be wholly unjustified and in the nature of creating sensationalism, at the cost of the Plaintiff and for no fault of the Plaintiff. Therefore, the Plaintiff has made out a case for grant of ad-interim relief," the judge ordered.
The bench has ordered the Respondents to file their replies before the next date of hearing which is scheduled on August 21.
Appearance:
Senior Advocate Dr. Birendra Saraf along with Advocates Vaibhav Charalwal, Athira TS, Sukrit Kapoor, Vipul Makwana and Aman Singhani instructed by King Stubb and Kasiva appeared for the Plaintiff. Advocates Arif Sayed, Karthik Raja Bekhar represented some Defendants. Advocates Manek Kalyaniwalla and Harshal Damania represented YouTube.
Case Title: Shashi Kiran Shetty vs Scoopwhoop Media Pvt. Ltd. [Suit (L) 18587 of 2026]
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Bom) 351