The Mumbai City Civil Court has granted an interim gag order against social media influencer Shamita Yadav, preventing her from disseminating allegedly defamatory content about Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra and her husband, businessman Raj Kundra. This ruling, delivered by Additional Sessions Judge SM Bukke on July 17, is part of a defamation lawsuit filed by the couple against Yadav and others.
Interim Restraining Order
The court’s order temporarily prohibits Yadav, along with her agents and representatives, from publishing any statements deemed defamatory, malicious, or scandalous against the plaintiffs. This restriction extends to any form of written or spoken communication that could amount to libel or slander, through any electronic or other medium. Furthermore, the court has instructed Yadav to immediately remove any such material from her social media platforms and any other outlets.
Upcoming Hearing and Background
The case is scheduled for a further hearing on August 21 to ensure compliance with the interim order. Shetty and Kundra initiated this legal action in April 2026, targeting not only Yadav but also Meta Platforms and unidentified parties referred to as “John Doe” defendants. The lawsuit seeks damages amounting to ₹15 crore, alongside injunction orders, over two Instagram reels posted in February 2026 under the handle “the.ranting.gola.”
The plaintiffs argue that these reels falsely depict them as criminals and individuals lacking honor, with one video suggesting Kundra pursues minors and accusing Shetty of endorsing communal discord. The posts reportedly gained significant traction, with the first video amassing over 364,000 likes.
Legal Precedents and Representation
The suit highlights that this content constitutes defamation by innuendo, infringing on their personal rights, privacy, and impacting their commercial relationships and brand endorsements. It also references an ex parte temporary injunction previously granted by the Bengaluru City Civil Court on February 6, which prohibited unauthorized use of Shetty’s name, image, and persona. The plaintiffs further cite past orders from the Bombay High Court that safeguard Shetty’s personality and privacy rights and mandate the removal of infringing online content.
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Legal representation for Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra is provided by a team of advocates including Pradeep D Gandhy, PG Chudasama, Laxman Yadav, Gaurav Gandhi, Atharva Navander, and Abhineet N Pange.
