The legal action comes nearly 24 years after their divorce, which was finalised in 2001 at the Bandra Family Court. According to the petition, filed through advocate Sana Raees Khan, Bhattacharya gave interviews to entertainment platforms, including Viral Bhayani and Film Window, in which she made serious allegations against Sanu.
In the interviews, Rita claimed that during her pregnancy she was denied food, milk, and medical treatment, and alleged that Sanu had multiple affairs and neglected the family. The interviews, widely circulated on social media in September 2025, were described in the petition as a violation of the terms of the divorce settlement, which barred both parties from making accusations against each other in the future.
The petition states that these statements have damaged Sanu’s reputation, caused mental distress, and adversely affected his personal and professional relationships, including business opportunities. A legal notice was reportedly sent to Bhattacharya and the media platforms on September 27, warning that criminal action could follow if the content was not removed. The notice highlighted the seriousness of the allegations, which also included references to the adoption process.
The civil suit seeks both monetary compensation and removal of the content, while the notice cites potential criminal consequences under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The petition also references a Delhi High Court order dated October 15, 2025, relating to a separate case that mandated the removal of AI-generated content, as part of the broader legal argument.
The case has reignited public attention on the singer’s personal life, highlighting the long-term implications of divorce settlements and the legal responsibility of media platforms in sharing allegations.
