The Bombay High Court has restrained media organisations and online platforms from referring to Aashirwad, the enduring bungalow once owned by late superstar Rajesh Khanna, as “haunted”, “cursed” or “unlucky”. The interim order got here after businessman Shashi Shetty, the present owner of the property, argued that such descriptions were defamatory and affected his right to live peacefully.
Bombay High Court restrains media from calling Rajesh Khanna’s former bungalow Aashirwad “haunted, cursed”
Justice Arif S Doctor passed the ad-interim order on July 24, observing that the allegations made against the property were, at first glance, defamatory and infringed upon the plaintiff’s fundamental right to live with dignity.
The case was filed by businessman Shashi Shetty, who now owns the property where Aashirwad once stood. Although the unique bungalow was demolished nearly a decade ago, Shetty retained the name Aashirwad after constructing a brand new four-storey family residence on the identical plot.
In line with court proceedings, Shetty approached the High Court after coming across several news reports, social media posts and online videos describing the property as haunted, cursed or unlucky.
Senior advocate Birendra Saraf, representing Shetty, informed the court that despite the unique bungalow now not existing, the brand new residence continued to be related to such claims. He also highlighted an article published by India.com titled 19 Real Haunted Houses in India That Will Give You A Cold Sweat, which included Aashirwad in its list.
Court Calls the Claims Prima Facie Defamatory
Granting interim relief, the High Court observed that the owner was “wholly justified” in in search of protection.
In its order, the court stated that the published material was, at first glance, defamatory since it suggested that Shetty lived in a haunted and supposedly cursed bungalow. The court further noted that such descriptions could interfere along with his right to live peacefully and with dignity.
Justice Doctor also identified that not one of the respondents appeared before the court to defend or justify their publications. The order observed that the content appeared to create sensationalism on the plaintiff’s expense with none fault on his part.
The ad-interim relief will remain in force until the matter is heard next on August 21, 2026.
The Legacy of Aashirwad
Aashirwad stays certainly one of Bollywood’s most famous residential properties attributable to its association with Rajesh Khanna. The legendary actor purchased the bungalow from veteran actor Rajendra Kumar for Rs 3.5 lakh after the latter had acquired it within the late Nineteen Fifties for Rs 65,000.
Interestingly, the property has long been linked with the remarkable success of each actors. Rajendra Kumar earned the nickname “Jubilee Kumar” after delivering a string of successful movies while living there. Rajesh Khanna later moved into Aashirwad and went on to change into Hindi cinema’s first superstar, having fun with unprecedented popularity throughout the peak of his profession.
Also Read: Bombay HC rejects Anita Advani’s claim in search of marital recognition with Rajesh Khanna
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