Snehashish roy
Actor Hansika Motwani has initiated legal action against her estranged sister-in-law Muskan Nancy James, filing a ₹2 crore defamation suit in a Mumbai sessions court amid an escalating family dispute.
According to the legal plea, Hansika has sought damages of ₹2 crore and requested the court to restrain Muskan Nancy James from making any further statements against her. She has also demanded a public apology, alleging that the claims made by her sister-in-law have caused harm to her reputation.
The case stems from allegations previously made by Muskan Nancy James, who had accused Hansika and her brother Prashant Motwani of domestic violence and harassment. These claims were part of an FIR filed earlier, in which Muskan alleged cruelty, interference in her marriage and demands related to expensive gifts.
In response, Hansika has denied all allegations, stating in her petition that she had minimal involvement in her brother’s personal life and was not residing with the couple. She maintained that she was largely unaware of the issues in their marriage as their relationship deteriorated over time.
A key aspect of Hansika’s complaint revolves around an alleged financial dispute. The petition claims that Muskan borrowed ₹27 lakh during her marriage to Prashant Motwani and has failed to repay the amount despite repeated requests. Hansika has alleged that the accusations were made in an attempt to avoid repayment of this loan.
Apart from the civil defamation suit, Hansika has also initiated criminal defamation proceedings before a magistrate’s court in Andheri under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The legal action marks a significant escalation in the dispute between the two parties.
The actor had earlier approached the Bombay High Court seeking to quash the FIR filed against her, arguing that the accusations were baseless and intended to damage her reputation. The High Court has reportedly issued a notice on her plea.
The dispute is rooted in the troubled marriage between Prashant Motwani and Muskan Nancy James, who tied the knot in 2020 and have reportedly been living separately since 2022. Divorce discussions between the two had already been underway, adding to the ongoing legal complexities.
The developments also come shortly after Hansika Motwani’s own divorce from businessman Sohael Khaturiya, which was finalised earlier this year through mutual consent in a Mumbai court.
Meanwhile, Muskan Nancy James has reacted to reports of the defamation case on social media, questioning the accuracy of circulating information and stating that certain details should be verified. However, no formal response has been filed in court regarding the suit so far.