Actor Sathyaraj’s daughter Divya Sathyaraj has reportedly filed a Rs 1 crore defamation suit against actor and YouTube personality Bayilvan Ranganathan following a controversy surrounding remarks made after her views on marriage were shared in an interview.
Divya, who is also described in the supplied report as a nutritionist involved in politics and social work, approached the Madras High Court, alleging that comments made about her following the interview were defamatory and had the potential to damage her reputation and goodwill.
According to The Hindu, the court on September 24, 2026, granted an interim restraint against the circulation of the objectionable statements. The reported order also involved Google LLC, Facebook India Online Services Private Limited and X Corp in relation to the hosting or circulation of the material on their respective platforms.
Madras High Court Grants Reported Interim Restraint
The case was heard by Justice K. Govindarajan Thilakavadi. As reported by The Hindu, the judge found that counsel representing Divya, D. Ravichander, had established a prima facie case warranting interim relief.
The court reportedly observed that Divya could suffer substantial harm to her reputation and goodwill if the requested protection was not granted while her defamation claim remains pending.
The judge also reportedly found that the balance of convenience favoured Divya in deciding whether an interim injunction should be issued.
The reported restraint concerns the circulation of the statements through YouTube and other social-media platforms. The underlying defamation claim, including the damages sought, remains part of the ongoing proceedings.
What Triggered the Divya Sathyaraj and Bayilvan Ranganathan Controversy?
The dispute followed comments Divya made during an interview with another YouTube channel about her views on marriage and relationships.
During the interview, she expressed the view that couples should remain together because of their affection for one another rather than simply because marriage creates an obligation.
She said:
“They should be together because they are crazy about each other, not because they are married… I don’t believe in this corporate wedding of getting married on the basis of religion, horoscope, and so on. In fact, I don’t have a horoscope at all because my father does not believe in such things.”
Her comments subsequently became the subject of discussion online.
Sathyaraj Supports Daughter’s Views
Following the interview, Divya’s father and actor Sathyaraj shared a video on social media in which he supported the views expressed by his daughter.
Divya subsequently alleged that Bayilvan Ranganathan responded to her interview with statements that she considered false and defamatory.
Those allegations form the basis of the defamation proceedings. The claims made by Divya in the lawsuit are contested allegations and are not, by themselves, findings that the statements were defamatory.
Divya Seeks Rs 1 Crore in Damages
In the lawsuit, Divya has reportedly sought Rs 1 crore in damages, along with 12% annual interest from the date of filing until the amount is recovered.
She has also sought a permanent injunction preventing Ranganathan from allegedly making, writing, publishing or broadcasting further defamatory statements concerning her.
The case names Mohideen, identified in the supplied report as the owner of the Puthiya Sinthanai YouTube channel, in connection with the proceedings.
Divya has additionally sought interim restrictions concerning the continued hosting or circulation of the disputed material on social-media platforms.
Social Media Platforms Also Named in Plea
The legal proceedings reportedly seek directions involving Google LLC, Facebook India Online Services Private Limited and X Corp, with Divya asking for an interim restraint on the continued hosting or circulation of the objectionable content.
The reported court order therefore addresses not only the alleged statements themselves but also their distribution through major digital platforms.
The matter remains subject to further proceedings before the Madras High Court, and the interim relief reported on September 24 does not by itself constitute a final determination of the underlying defamation claim.
Divya Sathyaraj’s Public Profile
Divya Sathyaraj is known for her work as a nutritionist and social activist and has also been involved in politics. The supplied report identifies her as a deputy secretary of the DMK Information Technology wing.
The latest legal dispute has brought renewed attention to her comments on marriage and the subsequent online controversy involving Bayilvan Ranganathan.
As the defamation proceedings continue, the court will consider the parties’ respective positions and the claims surrounding the disputed statements.
