Know all about Poonam Pandey's Rs. 100 crore defamation suit
What's the story
Model-turned-actor Poonam Pandey upset many with her fake death stunt. She was heavily criticized for her distasteful shenanigans and it looks like the matter is far from over.
According to reports, Pandey, as well as her ex-husband Sam Bombay, have been slapped with Rs. 100 crore defamation suit in Uttar Pradesh for faking her death. We bring you everything we know about the lawsuit.
Details about the suit
Pandey sued for trivializing cancer
The lawsuit has reportedly been filed by a person named Faizan Ansari.
According to multiple reports doing the rounds, the plaintiff in his lawsuit has claimed that the pair "trivialized the seriousness of cancer and manipulated the emotions and trust of millions."
Ansari has also called for the arrest of the actor and her former husband.
More trouble for Pandey
FIR was filed against Pandey with the Kanpur Police Commissioner
Ansari filed a First Information Report (FIR) with the commissioner of Kanpur Police, accusing Pandey and Bombay of conspiring to fake her death and making a mockery of cancer.
The FIR stated, "Poonam Pandey and her husband Sam Bombay conspired to stage her death, making a mockery of a serious illness like cancer. Poonam Pandey orchestrated this stunt for her personal publicity, betraying the trust of millions of Indians and the entire Bollywood industry."
Pandey's shocking death announcement
Incident: Pandey's social media claimed she died of cervical cancer
On February 2, a post on Pandey's official Instagram account announced her "death" due to cervical cancer.
The post read: "Deeply saddened to inform you that we have lost our beloved Poonam to cervical cancer."
However, a day later, Pandey revealed in a video statement that she was alive and had faked her death to raise awareness about cervical cancer.
Criticism against Pandey
Celebrities and the Cine Workers Association condemned the stunt
Numerous celebrities, including Bollywood actors Kangana Ranaut and Karan Kundrra, who initially condoled her (fake) death, criticized Pandey for her actions.
The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) also demanded an FIR against Pandey and her manager, labeling her actions "highly wrong" and "unacceptable."
The cinema organization argued that "no one in the film industry stoops to such levels."
In her defense
Pandey explained she faked her death to create awareness
In an Instagram video, Pandey stated, "I am alive. I didn't die of cervical cancer. Unfortunately, I can't say that about those hundreds and thousands of women who have lost their lives because of cervical cancer."
She asserted that her intention behind the death hoax was to spread awareness about the disease, which has taken the lives of thousands of women due to lack of knowledge.
She later apologized for faking her death.