Richa Chadha had filed a defamation suit against Payal Ghosh before the Bombay High Court yesterday. Now Payal Ghosh's lawyer, Nitin Satpute, has told the court during a hearing today (October 7) that his client is ready to tender an apology and withdraw her statement. "She is ready to settle the matter," he said.
Payal Ghosh's advocate had earlier told court that her statement was made "innocently" and she has huge respect for Richa Chadha. To this, Justice A K Menon had asked if Payal Ghosh was ready to apologize and withdraw the statement.
Richa Chadha's defamation suit names a news channel and Kamaal R Khan as well. The Court asked Kamaal R Khan's lawyer, Manoj Gadkari, if his client can withdraw the statements made by him. On this, Gadkari sought for time to file a reply as Kamaal R Khan is not in India. He said that his client's statements are what Payal has put out.
The suit was with regards to defamatory statements made against Richa Chadha. The Gangs of Wasseypur actress has also sought Rs 1.1 crore in damages.
As per a Mumbai Mirror report, Richa has demanded that the actress not make any defamatory statements against her in the future. She has also demanded that the defamatory videos and tweets be pulled down and an apology be issued on Twitter.
The petition was filed by Richa Chadha through her lawyer Saveena Bedi Sachar, which said that defamatory statements had continued despite Richa sending a legal notice to the actress earlier.
Richa Chadha had issued a statement last month when her name was being dragged in a controversy. The statement read, “Our Client ‘Ms. Richa Chadha’, condemns the act of her name being unnecessarily and falsely dragged in a derogatory manner into controversies and allegations being recently raised by third parties. Though our Client believes that genuinely wronged women should get justice at all costs, there are legislations that are intended to ensure that women have an equal standing in their workplace and to ensure that they have a cordial workplace in which their dignity and self-respect is protected.
"No woman should misuse their liberties to harass other women with unsubstantiated or non-existent, false and baseless allegations. Our Client has initiated appropriate legal action and shall further pursue her legal rights and remedies in law as may be advised in her best interest. Sd/- Adv Saveena Bedi Sachar, Lawhive Associates."
After this, Richa had sent a legal notice to Payal Ghosh, and after three failed attempts to deliver a hard copy of the notice, the actress finally accepted it.