Bombay HC Restrains Media From Calling Rajesh Khanna's Bungalow Haunted

The Bombay High Court has restrained several media organisations and YouTube channels from publishing content that describes the iconic 'Ashirwad' bungalow, once owned by Bollywood superstar Rajesh Khanna, as 'haunted', 'cursed', or 'ill-omened'.

The court's decision came after hearing a suit filed by businessman Shashi Kiran Shetty, the present owner of the property in Bandra. Shetty told the court that despite demolishing the original bungalow and building a new residence, he retained the name 'Ashirwad'.

Senior Advocate Birendra Saraf, representing Shetty, argued that several news reports and online articles continued to portray the property as cursed or haunted, causing harm to his reputation and affecting his family's peaceful enjoyment of their home.

The suit names several media outlets and digital platforms over articles and videos that linked the bungalow with the alleged downfall of Bollywood stars and described it as one of India's haunted places.

After examining the material, the court found that Shetty had made out a strong prima facie case for interim protection. The court observed that the material was clearly defamatory and would impinge upon Shetty's right to live peacefully and in dignity.

The court also noted that, except for one respondent, none of the media houses or content creators had appeared to justify the impugned publications. The court said that such publications would be wholly unjustified and in the nature of creating sensationalism at the cost of Shetty.

The High Court directed the respondents to file their reply affidavits within three weeks. The interim protection will continue until the next hearing on August 21.

The 'Ashirwad' bungalow has been a topic of discussion for many years, with many believing it to be haunted due to the series of unfortunate events that occurred in the lives of its former owners. However, Shetty's lawsuit has brought attention to the harm caused by such publications and the need to respect the rights of homeowners.

The court's decision is a significant step in protecting the rights of individuals and preventing the spread of defamatory content. It also highlights the importance of responsible journalism and the need for media outlets to verify information before publishing.

In conclusion, the Bombay High Court's decision to restrain media organisations from calling the 'Ashirwad' bungalow haunted is a welcome move. It protects the rights of homeowners and promotes responsible journalism, ensuring that individuals are not subjected to defamatory content that can harm their reputation and peaceful enjoyment of their home.