Bachchan gets interim relief in tobacco case

PANAJI: Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan got an interim relief in a tobacco related case with the district and sessions court here staying the orders of the Judicial Magistrate that had asked him and four others to appear in the court.

Bachchan was summoned in connection with a case filed by National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE) alleging violation of central and state tobacco laws following display of a hoarding, which showed the Big B with a cigar.

However, the district and sessions court stayed the order on Wednesday.

The revision petition against the order was filed by Amitabh Bacchan Corporation Limited (ABCL) praying that pending hearing and disposal of revision application, the process issued by the court be stayed and sought ad-interim ex-parte relief.

On November 20, the court had issued summons to Bachchan, Keshu Ramsay, M/S DMS Films private limited, Mumbai and M/S Anchor Daewoo India Limited to appear before the court on November 29.

NOTE had objected to display in a hoarding showing Amitabh Bacchan with a cigar while endorsing an electrical appliance of M/s Anchor Daewoo India Limited under the brand name Anchor.

They had alleged that these hoardings were in gross violation of cigarettes, tobacco and other tobacco products prohibition in advertisement Act and regulations of the trade and commerce, production supply and distribution Act, 2003 and section 7 of Goa Prohibition of Smoking and Spitting Act, 1997.