Legendary playback singer Kumar Sanu has formally initiated legal proceedings against his former wife Rita Bhattacharya by filing a defamation suit in the Bombay High Court. The renowned artist has sought damages worth thirty lakh rupees claiming that his reputation has been severely tarnished by what he describes as false and malicious statements made by Bhattacharya in recent interviews.The legal action comes more than two decades after their divorce was finalized in 2001 and centers on fresh allegations that have surfaced on various social media platforms and entertainment portals including Viral Bhayani and Film Window.The suit contends that the interviews given by his ex-wife have violated the consent terms recorded during their separation which reportedly included a clause prohibiting both parties from leveling allegations against one another in the future.The controversy erupted after Rita Bhattacharya appeared on several podcast and interview channels in September 2025 where she candidly spoke about her turbulent marriage to the singer in the late 1980s. In these widely circulated videos she accused Sanu of subjecting her to extreme mental and physical mistreatment while she was pregnant with their son Jaan Kumar Sanu. Her claims included disturbing details such as being starved for food because the kitchen shelves were locked and being denied money for basic necessities like milk.She further alleged that the singer engaged in extramarital affairs and neglected his family while dragging her to court during her pregnancy. These videos gained significant traction online leading to renewed public scrutiny of the singers personal life and past conduct.Represented by advocate Sana Raees Khan the singer has staunchly denied all the accusations and termed them as baseless attempts to malign his image. The plea filed in the court asserts that the allegations have caused reputational harm and mental distress to the singer who has built a celebrated career over four decades. Apart from monetary compensation the lawsuit demands an immediate removal of the controversial interviews from all digital platforms and a permanent injunction restraining Bhattacharya from making further defamatory comments. The singer's legal team has argued that the resurgence of these decades old claims breaches their legal agreement and has impacted his professional standing. The matter recently came up for hearing before the court where the legal notices were discussed setting the stage for a new chapter in this long standing personal conflict.
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