Aditya Dhar accepts Santosh Kumar’s apology; defamation suit closed with liberty granted for future claims on film script.
In a significant development at the Bombay High Court, the defamation suit filed by Aditya Dhar against Santosh Kumar was disposed of following an apology from the defendant. The matter was presided over by Justice Arif S. Doctor, who facilitated the resolution of the case without further judicial proceedings.
The dispute originated from allegedly defamatory statements made by Santosh Kumar during a press meeting on March 30, 2026. Aditya Dhar, the plaintiff, had sought damages for defamation. However, in a turn of events, Santosh Kumar, represented by advocate Chintan Bhura, tendered an apology in the court, which was accepted by Aditya Dhar through his counsel, Dr. Birendra Saraf.
Dr. Saraf, appearing for the plaintiff, communicated to the court that, in light of the apology, there was no desire to pursue the suit further. This led to the suit being disposed of, saving both parties from prolonged litigation.
Justice Doctor ensured that the resolution did not impede any future claims that Santosh Kumar might have concerning the film "Dhurandhar: The Revenge (2026)" script. The court clarified that Santosh Kumar retains the liberty to pursue any legal claims related to the script, and such claims will not be barred by the current order.
The case was marked by cooperative legal representation from both sides. On behalf of Aditya Dhar, Dr. Saraf was accompanied by a team from DSK Legal, while Santosh Kumar had the backing of advocate Chintan Bhura and legal representatives from Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co.
The court further ordered the refund of court fees, if applicable, as per the rules, concluding the proceedings with a focus on fairness and procedural correctness.
This judgment underlines the effectiveness of conciliatory approaches in legal disputes, especially in civil matters like defamation, where reputational concerns can be amicably resolved outside of extended court battles. The Bombay High Court’s disposal of this case exemplifies the judiciary’s role in facilitating resolutions that uphold the rights of both parties while promoting legal civility.
Bottom line:-
Suit for damages based on defamatory statements - Defendant tendered an apology for the statements made - Plaintiff accepted the apology and agreed not to pursue the suit further. Suit disposed of without affecting Defendant's right to make claims regarding the film script.
Statutory provision(s): Civil Procedure Code, 1908
Aditya Dhar v. Santosh Kumar, (Bombay) : Law Finder Doc id # 2892829
