The Madras High Court has dismissed an appeal filed by Sun TV Network in 2015, challenging a civil court decree that ordered the channel to pay ₹10 lakh in damages to actor R Sukanya. The case stems from a 1996 interview broadcast by Sun TV featuring forest brigand Veerappan, which contained allegations against the actor.
Background of the Case
The dispute originated from a civil suit filed by Sukanya in 1996 against Sun TV Network, journalist Nakkheeran R Gopal, and sandalwood smuggler Veerappan. The actor alleged that the channel telecasted an interview-based program titled 'Nerukku Ner' in seven episodes starting April 7, 1996. During the interview, Veerappan made defamatory statements that were offensive to her dignity, she claimed.
Court Observations
Justice K Kumaresh Babu, while delivering the judgment, noted that the channel management had refused to issue a regret on its own platform. The court observed, 'If such a regret had been published in its own broadcast, it would have reached the same viewer who would have seen the publication it had made earlier. This itself would show malice on the part of the appellant in only opting to give a regret in a third-party magazine, which was also not substantiated to have wider reach than its viewers.'
Liability of Other Parties
The court relieved Nakkheeran Gopal from paying damages, as he had provided the interview videos to Sun TV based on an agreement that he would not be liable for any consequences arising from the broadcast. Since Veerappan was killed in a police encounter, he was also removed from the case. Aggrieved by the civil court order, the channel had approached the high court seeking relief.
The High Court's decision upholds the lower court's ruling, reinforcing the principle that media organizations must exercise caution and take responsibility for defamatory content broadcast on their platforms.
