The Bombay High Court has granted ad-interim relief to businessman Shashi Kiran Shetty in his defamation suit against Scoopwhoop Media Pvt. Ltd. and several other publishers, holding that repeated online references describing his residence as "cursed," "haunted," or "unlucky" are, at first glance, defamatory and capable of affecting his right to live with dignity. Justice Arif S. Doctor directed that the interim protection would continue while the matter remains pending before the Court.
Background of the Case
Shetty approached the High Court seeking directions to restrain multiple media platforms and digital publishers from publishing or continuing to host articles and videos referring to Ashirwad, the bungalow once owned by late actor Rajesh Khanna, using expressions such as "cursed," "haunted," and "ill-omened." According to the suit, the original bungalow had been demolished after its purchase, and a new residence was constructed for Shetty and his family, although the name "Ashirwad" was retained.
The plaintiff argued that despite the reconstruction, several websites, social media pages, and video platforms continued to circulate stories portraying the property as haunted or unlucky. He claimed these publications harmed his reputation and interfered with his family's privacy and dignity.
During the hearing, counsel informed the Court that one defendant had agreed to remove its YouTube video. In view of that assurance, the plaintiff chose not to pursue relief against that particular defendant and modified the interim prayers against the remaining publishers.
Court's Observations
After examining the disputed publications, Justice Arif S. Doctor found that the plaintiff had established a prima facie case for interim protection.
The Court observed,
“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.”
The bench further noted that such publications could directly affect the plaintiff's right to live peacefully and with dignity. It also took into account that, except for one defendant, none of the respondents had appeared to justify or defend the impugned publications.
As the Court put it,
“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.”
Court's Decision
The Bombay High Court granted ad-interim relief in favour of Shashi Kiran Shetty by allowing the modified interim prayers seeking restraint against the remaining defendants and directions for removal of the impugned content. The interim protection will continue until the next hearing, fixed for 21 August 2026. The respondents have been granted three weeks to file their reply affidavits if they wish to contest the case.
Case Details
Case Title: Shashi Kiran Shetty v. Scoopwhoop Media Pvt. Ltd. & Ors.
Case Number: Interim Application (L) No. 19136 of 2026 in Suit (L) No. 18587 of 2026
Judge: Justice Arif S. Doctor
Decision Date: 24 July 2026
