Court dismisses Bachchan's petition in cigar case

PANAJI: A sessions court here has dismissed the revision application filed by the Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited challenging the order by a judicial magistrate to initiate action against Amitabh Bachchan in connection with a hoarding which showed the actor with a cigar in his mouth.

National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE) had filed a case against Bachchan, ABCL and D M S Films Private Limited and Anchor Daewoo India in connection with the hoarding erected on the national highway.

The hoarding had a photograph from the movie "Family". The judicial magistrate had summoned Bachchan and other respondents on November 29, which was challenged in the sessions court.
    
NOTE had alleged that such hoardings were in gross violation of the Cigarettes, Tobacco and Other Related Products (prohibition of advertisement and regulations of the trade and commerce, production, supply and distribution) Act and section 7 of the Goa Prohibition of Smoking and Spitting Act.

ABCL had said in the sessions court that, pending the hearing and disposal of its revision application, the process issued by the judicial magistrate should be stayed. It had also sought ad-interim exparte relief.

In the revision petition, ABCL had claimed that there was no prima facie case and the magistrate ought not to have issued process against it and Bachchan, who is the chairman of the company.