Poonam Pandey's fake death stunt lands her with INR1 billion defamation lawsuit

In a shocking turn of events, model and actor Poonam Pandey and her partner (former husband, as per Times of India and husband as per Hindustan Times), Sam Bombay, are now at the centre of an INR1 billion defamation lawsuit filed by Mumbai resident Faizan Ansari. 

The case, lodged with the Kanpur Police Commissioner, accuses the duo of orchestrating a false conspiracy of Poonam's death and attempting to downplay the seriousness of critical diseases, particularly cancer.

Faizan has not only sought financial compensation but has also urged the authorities to arrest Poonam and Sam for their alleged involvement in the deceptive stunt. The FIR claims that their actions were aimed at garnering personal publicity by making a mockery of life-threatening illnesses.

"Poonam Pandey and her husband Sameer Bombay have fabricated a false conspiracy of death. Along with this, they have made a joke out of diseases like cancer. Poonam orchestrated the drama for publicity and played with the emotions of millions of Indians and the Bollywood film industry,” read a part of an FIR published by Times of India.

The bizarre incident unfolded on February 2 when Poonam posted on Instagram, announcing her own demise due to cervical cancer. The post requested privacy during the mourning period. However, the revelation turned out to be a shocking hoax, leaving the public outraged at the insensitivity of the ploy. When she resurfaced a day later, Poonam said in an Instagram video, "I am alive. I didn't die of cervical cancer. Unfortunately, I can't say that about those hundreds and thousands of women who have lost their lives because of cervical cancer."

The move was widely criticized as being highly inappropriate and unacceptable, drawing condemnation from various quarters, including the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA). The AICWA denounced Poonam's actions, labelling them as "highly wrong" and "unacceptable." The film organisation has called for the filing of an FIR against both Poonam and her manager, emphasising the need for legal consequences to address the gravity of the situation.

As the controversy unfolds, the entertainment industry and the public await further developments in this perplexing case, which raises questions about the ethical boundaries of garnering attention in the age of social media.

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