Veteran playback singer Kumar Sanu has served a legal notice to his former wife Rita Bhattacharya after she alleged in a recent interview that he “tortured” her during pregnancy. The notice was sent through his lawyer Sana Raees Khan, according to The Indian Express.

An excerpt from the notice stated that Sanu had dedicated over four decades to music and won love worldwide, adding: “Hurtful lies may create noise for a moment, but they cannot erase the legacy of an artist who has given a lifetime of music and memories.” It further warned that defamatory attempts would be met with “the full force of law” to safeguard his dignity and family honour.

Bhattacharya, speaking in an interview with Siddharth Kannan, recounted hardships she faced during her third pregnancy while managing divorce proceedings. She alleged Sanu denied their children food and medical care, claiming she survived with help from sympathetic neighbours. She also said he gave her only Rs 100 during the divorce and recalled selling her jewellery to survive.

She further claimed Sanu showed indifference when their two sons went missing during the 2005 Mumbai floods, saying she searched all night while he did not enquire about their safety.

Kumar Sanu and Rita Bhattacharya married in 1980 and separated in 1994. During that period, Sanu was also linked with actor Kunickaa Sadanand, though the relationship did not last. He later married Saloni Bhattacharya in 2001, with whom he has two daughters.

Source: NDTV