The Madras High Court has dismissed an appeal filed by Sun TV Network Limited and upheld a trial court decree directing the broadcaster to pay ₹10,00,500 as damages to actress R. Sukanya in a long-running defamation dispute arising from the telecast of an interview in 1996. The Court also sustained an injunction restraining further publication or telecast of the defamatory content.
Background of the Case
The dispute traces back to an episode of the television programme “Nerukku Ner” aired on Sun TV in April 1996. During the interview, conducted by representatives associated with the Tamil magazine Nakkheeran, certain allegations were made concerning actress R. Sukanya.
Sukanya approached the court claiming that the statements were false and defamatory and had seriously harmed her reputation. She sought damages and a permanent injunction against further publication or telecast of the interview. The civil suit was eventually decreed in her favour by the trial court in 2015, which directed Sun TV to pay compensation of ₹10,00,500.
Sun TV’s Arguments in Appeal
Before the High Court, Sun TV argued that the actress had failed to establish actual loss of reputation or damages. The broadcaster contended that it merely telecast the interview and was not the originator of the statements.
The channel also pointed out that it had expressed regret after receiving notice from the actress and had not re-telecast the programme thereafter. It further argued that Sukanya continued to work in films and television, showing that her reputation had not suffered as claimed.
Court’s Observations
Justice K. Kumaresh Babu rejected the broadcaster’s contentions and noted that Sukanya’s standing as a well-known actress was not seriously disputed.
The Court observed that loss of reputation naturally follows the publication of defamatory material. It noted that the actress had specifically deposed about reputational harm and loss of opportunities, and those assertions were not effectively challenged during cross-examination.
Referring to the agreement between Sun TV and the interview producer, the Court found that the broadcaster had retained extensive rights to edit, delete, modify, or add portions of the programme before telecast.
“The appellant had reserved the right to edit, cut, delete or modify any portion,” the Court observed, adding that such control carried a corresponding responsibility to verify the contents before broadcast.
The Court further noted that Sun TV had issued an expression of regret only through a third-party publication rather than through its own television platform. According to the Court, a correction broadcast on the same medium could have reached the audience that had viewed the original telecast.
Decision
Finding no error in the trial court’s conclusions, the Madras High Court upheld the award of ₹10,00,500 in damages and affirmed the finding that Sun TV was liable for the defamatory telecast.
Dismissing the appeal, Justice K. Kumaresh Babu held that there was no merit in Sun TV’s challenge and allowed the trial court decree to stand.
The connected miscellaneous petition was also closed, with no order as to costs.
Case Details:
Case Title: Sun TV Network Limited v. R. Sukanya & Others
Case Number: A.S. No. 971 of 2015
Judge: Justice K. Kumaresh Babu
Decision Date: 05 June 2026
