Poonam Pandey, ex-husband Sam Bombay face Rs 100 crore defamation lawsuit over fake death stunt: Report

A post had recently appeared on Poonam Pandey's Instagram page claiming that she had died of "cervical cancer". However, she later released a video announcing that she was alive.

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Poonam Pandey and Sam Bombay got married in September 2020. (Image: Sam Bombay/Instagram)

Over a week after Poonam Pandey staged her death hoax, purportedly aimed at “raising awareness for cervical cancer”, both the actor-model and her former husband Sam Bombay are now facing repercussions as they’ve been hit with a defamation lawsuit amounting to Rs 100 crore.

On February 2, a post had appeared on Pandey’s official Instagram page claiming that she had died of “cervical cancer”. When The Indian Express contacted her manager, Nikita, also confirmed the same. “She died at her home in Uttar Pradesh,” her manager Nikita said.

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However, a day later, Pandey released a video on social media announcing that she was alive and added that she made up the whole thing to “empower one another with critical awareness” of cervical cancer. Nevertheless, the stunt received significant backlash, with many criticising Pandey for exploiting a disease that has caused immense suffering for countless people and families, all for the sake of publicity.

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Soon afterwards, the All Indian Cine Workers Association stepped forward, demanding legal action against Pandey. Schbang, the agency behind the controversial campaign, also issued a public apology on social media. Nevertheless, the controversy continues, as she’s been served with a defamation lawsuit.

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A post shared by Poonam Pandey (@poonampandeyreal)

According to the Times of India, Faizan Ansari, a Mumbai resident, filed the lawsuit with the Kanpur Police Commissioner. Accusing Pandey and Sam Bombay of orchestrating a “false conspiracy of death” and trivialising serious illnesses like cancer for their personal gain, Ansari asserted that their actions not only betrayed the trust of millions but also tarnished the reputation of the Bollywood community.

The FIR further calls for immediate action against Pandey and Sam Bombay, urging the Kanpur Police Commissioner to issue arrest warrants and ensure their appearance before the Kanpur Court to address the defamation charges, the ToI report added.

Poonam Pandey and Sam Bombay got married in September 2020. They later ended the relationship, following which Pandey had claimed that she faced domestic abuse from Bombay.

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