Veerappan’s claim: Actor Sukanya wins defamation case after 30 years
The Madras High Court has ordered Sun TV Network to pay ₹10 lakh in damages to actor R. Sukanya for airing defamatory comments made by Veerappan in a 1996 interview. The court ruled that the network failed to exercise due diligence in editing the content.
Why it matters
Sets a legal precedent for media accountability and the responsibility of broadcasters to vet content for defamation.
Nearly 30 years after Sun TV Network had telecast journalist Nakheeran R. Gopal’s 1996 interview with forest brigand Veerappan, the Madras High Court has directed the television network to pay damages of ₹10 lakh to actor R. Sukanya for not having edited out scandalous allegations levelled against her by the interviewee.
Reports on a judicial verdict without editorializing the outcome.
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