Saturday, November 12 2005 11:16 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: People Interactive India Private Ltd, owner of marriage portal Shaadi.com and its publication Shaaditimes.com, has filed a defamation case against film star Raveena Tandon in the Metropolitan Magistrate court for making derogatory remarks in the media against the portal.

"Raveena had made derogatory and defamatory remarks in the media against Shaadi.com saying the portal was irresponsibly writing articles without any basis," lawyer Sujit Jain told PTI.

In response to her defamatory remarks and to prove its bonafides, he said, "People Interactive, the owner of 'Shaadi.com' and 'Shaaditimes' has filed a criminal complaint against Raveena Tandon for defamation and to seek her prosecution."

Jain pointed out that despite the Bombay High Court during the recent hearing of suit filed by her against the portal recognised that Tandon had given interview to the portal, the film star had made derogatory and defamatory remarks in the media about 'Shaadi.com' that it was irresponsibly writing articles without any basis.

The portal had said they had published the interview of Raveena Tandon alongwith her photograph.

Raveena had filed a suit in the Bombay High Court against People Interactive India Private Limited seeking injunctive reliefs based on allegations that her wedding photographs were unauthorisedly used by People Interactive India Private Limited on its website 'Shaadi.com' in an attempt to promote the matrimonial services offered by the portal.

She had denied giving interview to 'Shaadi.com' in which connection these photographs were used by the portal and alleged that `Shaadi.com' claimed that she met her husband over the said website.

In response to these allegations, he said the portal 'Shaadi.com' had never made any claim that Raveena met her husband over their website. In fact, the interview which has been carried by 'Shaaditimes' clearly states that it was 'destiny' which made them meet and it was a `work oriented meeting' which made them meet, the lawyer added.

"Her allegation that 'Shaadi.com' was responsible for making her meet with her husband is shocking," the lawyer said adding his client had produced an audio cassette in the High Court which carried the entire interview of her and even produced the transcript of the interview in the High Court

The High Court took cognizance of the fact that interview had indeed been given by Raveena Tandon and to resolve the controversy about the wedding photographs the High Court requested People Interactive to use her photographs only in connection with the interview.

It is important to mention that no injunctive relief or damages as claimed by Raveena was granted by High Court and therefore, People Interactive can continue to use the images of the film star alongwith the interview, Jain said.