Hansika Motwani sues sister-in-law for defamation over domestic violence accusations

Bollywood actor Hansika Motwani has moved a Mumbai sessions court, seeking Rs 2 crore in damages, filing a defamation suit against her estranged sister-in-law, television actor Muskan Nancy James, who accused her and her brother Prashant Motwani of domestic violence. The suit also requests a court order restraining James from making further statements against her and calls for a public apology.

Filed through advocate Adnan Shaikh, the plea alleges that James made false and damaging claims about Motwani on social media to avoid repaying an alleged loan of Rs 27 lakh.

According to the petition, James had borrowed the amount during her marriage to Motwani’s brother, Prashant Motwani, but failed to return it despite repeated requests.

Motwani has stated that she had limited involvement in her brother’s marriage and was not residing with the couple.

She claims that the relationship between Prashant and James deteriorated over time, and that she was largely unaware of the details of their disputes.

The suit describes James as a “small-time television actor” who allegedly projected a lavish lifestyle online while refusing to settle her dues.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ALLEGATIONS

The legal battle follows an earlier complaint filed by James against her husband and Motwani, accusing them of cruelty and harassment.

The FIR included allegations of domestic violence, interference in her marriage, and demands for expensive gifts during wedding ceremonies. James also claimed that the stress from the marriage led to her developing Bell’s Palsy- a condition causing partial facial paralysis.

Motwani has denied all allegations made in the FIR, maintaining that she was not part of any domestic arrangement with the couple and therefore cannot be held liable.

She had earlier approached the Bombay High Court seeking to quash the FIR, arguing that the accusations were baseless and intended to damage her reputation. The High Court had issued notice on her plea.

In addition to the civil suit, Motwani has also filed a criminal defamation case against James before a magistrate court in Andheri under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The dispute stems from the troubled marriage between Prashant Motwani and James, who married in 2020 and have reportedly been living separately since 2022.

Motwani has stated that divorce discussions between the two had already taken place, and that she has since been living separately with her husband following her own marriage in 2022.

The defamation suit is expected to come up for hearing before the Dindoshi sessions court in due course.

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