Actor Rupali Ganguly has issued a defamation notice to her stepdaughter, Esha Verma, seeking Rs 50 crore in compensation for allegedly "maligning" her character and personal life.
The legal notice was sent in response to what Ganguly claims are Esha's "false and damaging statements" aimed at protecting her own reputation. The notice, prepared by Ganguly's lawyer Sana Raees Khan, seeks Rs 50 crore as compensation.
Rupali Ganguly issues defamation notice against Esha Verma
The notice reads: "Our client states that she was shocked to see the posts and comments published by you on various social media platforms including Twitter (now X), Instagram, and Facebook. Our client states that it is apposite to put the true and correct facts leading to the issuance of the present notice…”
It also details that Ganguly experienced mental trauma as a result of these allegations, which led her to seek medical assistance and suffer professional setbacks, including humiliation on set and loss of work opportunities.
Initially choosing to maintain a "dignified silence," Ganguly felt compelled to take legal action after her and Ashwin Verma's 11-year-old son was brought into the matter. The notice also demands an immediate and unconditional public apology from Esha, warning of further legal actions if this demand is not met.
The notice clarifies that Rupali Ganguly and Ashwin Verma had been friends for 12 years before his separation from Esha’s mother in 2009. It also notes that both Ganguly and Ashwin made efforts to support Esha’s entry into the entertainment industry by arranging photoshoots and audition opportunities.
How the controversy began
The controversy began when a Reddit post gained traction, sharing an old Facebook comment by Esha in which she accused Ganguly of having an affair with her father while he was still married to her mother, labeling Rupali as "cruel-hearted." The viral post prompted Ashwin to issue a statement on X, denying these allegations. In response, Esha wrote on Instagram, "There's a darker side to this story... All I ask for is compassion as it unfolds."