Madras High Court upholds actress Sripriya’s Marina Holdings’ property attachment in ‘Mersal’ dispute; dismisses Sun TV’s claim
In a major legal victory for Marina Holdings, a company run by actress Sripriya and her husband Rajkumar Sethupathy, the Madras High Court has dismissed a claim petition filed by Sun TV Network Limited regarding attached properties linked to the movie ‘Mersal’.
On October 16, 2026, the Justice K. Kumaresh Babu dismissed the petition filed by Sun TV Network Limited against Marina Holdings and N. Ramasamy (Proprietor of Sri Thenandal Films and producer of ‘Mersal’.)
Marina Holdings, led by Sripriya and Rajkumar Sethupathy, provided film financing for ‘Mersal’, produced by N. Ramasamy under Sri Thenandal Films. According to Rajkumar Sethupathy, upon failing to make full payments, Ramasamy pledged the original title documents of both his residence and office as collateral to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the theatrical release of the movie.
However, the cheques issued by Ramasamy towards the outstanding dues were returned unpaid due to insufficient funds. Marina Holdings subsequently initiated legal action and arbitration proceedings. During the COVID-19 period, the court issued an order attaching both pledged properties in favor of Marina Holdings. Despite the ongoing legal attachment, Ramasamy unlawfully proceeded to sell both properties to Sun TV Network Limited.
Sun TV Network Limited subsequently filed the claim petition seeking to release the court attachment, claiming to be a “bonafide transferee” and the absolute owner of the properties.
Rejecting Sun TV’s contention, Justice K. Kumaresh Babu held that Sun TV Network Limited could not claim the status of a bonafide transferee to defeat the pre-existing legal attachment obtained by Marina Holdings. Consequently, the High Court declined to lift or release the attachment order on the properties.
“For Petitioner : Mr.Jose John for
M/s.King & Partridge
For Respondent : Mr.K.Ravi, Senior counsel for M/s.Rugan & Arya
ORDER
The Execution Application had been filed to allow the claim that the applicant being the bonafide transferee is the absolute owner of the schedule mentioned properties in E.P.No.122 of 2025 in view of the prior rights accrued and consequently”
https://www.sekarreporter.com/sun-tv-film-issue-honble-mr-justice-k-kumaresh-babu-a-no-1663-of-2026-in-ep-no-122-of-2025-sun-tv-network-limited-rep-by-its-authorised-signatory-mr-m-jyothi-basu-murasoli-maran-towers-73-mrc-n/#:~:text=For%20Petitioner%20%3A%20Mr,accrued%20and%20consequently
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