DMK IT wing official files ₹1-crore defamation suit against actor

The Madras High Court has restrained actor Bayilvan Ranganathan from making further defamatory statements after Divya Sathyaraj, an official with the DMK party's IT wing, filed a civil suit seeking ₹1 crore in damages. Justice K. Govindarajan Thilakavadi issued the order while hearing the petition on Tuesday.

The court directive extends to YouTube, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter), prohibiting the platforms from permitting dissemination of the allegedly objectionable statements. The restraining order remains in effect pending further hearing and adjudication of the defamation case.

Sathyaraj has argued that Ranganathan's statements caused damage to her reputation and sought monetary compensation along with the injunction against continued publication. The case is part of an ongoing dispute between the two parties, though details of the specific allegations were not disclosed in the court order.

The High Court's interim measure effectively prevents the actor from repeating or amplifying the statements on his social media accounts while the defamation case proceeds through the judicial system. The matter has been scheduled for further hearing as the court examines the merits of the defamation claim.