Composer AR Rahman and Association of Surgeons of India enter into defamation battle

New Delhi: Composer AR Rahman and the Association of Surgeons of India (ASI) have entered into a legal battle with both parties issuing notices to each other and demanding public apologies for defaming them. While the Indian musical composer and record producer, A R Rahman has served a defamation notice of Rs 10 crore against the association for tarnishing his reputation and defaming him, the ASI has countered with a legal notice of Rs 15 crore accusing Rahman of defaming the doctors and medical association.

The incident relates to the performance of the composer that was supposed to take place at the 78th annual conference of the association held in 2018 but did not happen. Over this, the ASI filed a complaint at the Chennai police commissioner’s office on September 27 2023 seeking a refund of the advance amount of Rs 29.5 lakhs taken by the musician for a conference. The association alleged that the composer did not fulfil his obligations and refused to return the money for the past two years.

However, denying the allegations and seeking the surgeons association to retract their complaint, advocate Narmadha Sampath on behalf of Rahman sent a legal notice to ASICON on October 3 demanding Rs 10 crore as compensation for providing false and frivolous allegations against him which are alleged to be defamatory in nature.

In a four-page response drafted by Rahman's advocate mentioned "My client states that he has absolutely no connection whatsoever with your client ASI. My client has never entered into any contractual obligation with your client."

The advocate further denied the allegation that they booked him for a show and paid an advance of Rs 29.50 lakh to him. “In order to gain media attention from the fame enjoyed by our client and in order to harass our client you have also chosen to name him in the complaint given to the Commissioner of Police Chennai,” the counsel claimed.

“Your clients are hereby called upon to recall the notice dated 03.10.2023 within three days from today. You are also hereby called upon to issue a public apology immediately, prominently publicised for defaming my client.”

It further read, “My client also demands a sum of ₹10 crore within a period of 15 days from today as damages for the defaming the good reputation of my client, failing which my client will be constrained to initiate legal action against your client.”

It came to light that a third party Mr Senthil Velan and a group of companies of Senthilvelan was involved in receiving the transaction which Rahman was not aware of. Hence, according to the advocate, no monetary transaction had taken place in 2018.

Counter defamation notice sent by ASI:

Responding to Rahman's notice of alleged defamation, the association countered with this legal notice on October 4 demanding Rs 15 crore as compensation for defaming the doctors and the medical fraternity within 15 days from receipt of the notice. They have also demanded a public apology along with a refund of the amount with interest.

In the rejoinder, Advocate Shabnam Banu, representing an association of surgeons, mentioned, "My client states that your client's reply is cryptic and has taken shelter under the curb of his repute which will not absolve anyone from a liability that will be fastened by the rudiments of law."

The composer has misrepresented and concealed facts before the public and in turn demanded reputed surgeons to apologise to him for no fault on their part, read the notice.

"My client states that your client being a celebrity cannot resort to such threats which is defamatory in nature against an association of doctors who wanted nothing but to watch the performance of your client."

In reply to the singer's statement that he was not aware of the payment done with a third party, the advocate of ASICON mentioned "My client states that it is practically impossible to premise an agreement solely on your client who is a renowned artist. It is not the case of your client that the dates, payment schedule and all other arrangements was carried out by Mr Senthil Velan without his knowledge either."

In addition, Advocate Shabnam has also alleged that Rahman has tarnished the image of the surgeons association by circulating his reply in the media and public. It further read that evidence related to the incident will be presented before the court.