Dilip Kumar acquitted in 1998 cheque bounce case

MUMBAI: Thespian Dilip Kumar was today acquitted by a local court in a 1998 cheque bounce case.

Additional Metropolitan Magistrate of Girgaum, B S Kharade, acquitted the 93-year-old actor in the case related to a company named Geekay Exim India Limited, in which he was one of the directors.

The case was filed by Smita Shroff against the company and its 20 directors, including Kumar alias Yusuf Khan. Besides the veteran actor, the court also acquitted Vimal Kumar Rathi.

Kumar's lawyer argued in the court that the complainant had failed to prove that he was active participants in the day-to-day affairs of the company.

The court, however, convicted two of its directors -- S Seturaman and Gopalkrishna Rathi.

In her complaint, Shroff said that she invested Rs 45 lakh in the Kolkata-based company in June 1996 and was liable to get Rs 57.61 lakh in return. However, when a cheque was issued by the company in November 1997, it was dishonoured, after which Shroff initially sent notices and later filed a case under the provisions of Negotiable Instruments Act.

Soon after the order, Kumar's actor wife Saira Banu took to Twitter and said that she was happy that her husband was acquitted in the case.

"I thank my God. My simple, straightforward husband has been cleared of any involvement in Geekay Exim Co. case wherein he was just a celeb-honorary Chairman, innocent of any implication of so tying up with his friends." (Sic)

Thanking the judiciary for the verdict, the 71-year-old actress wrote, "He (Kumar) faced this court matter for 18 long years, wherein now even his health is not so good. I thank all our well-wishers, friends, fans... Thank you to our just and esteemed judiciary."

Though initially the case was filed against 20 people holding different posts in the company, Shroff had withdrawn cases against 16 people and only Kumar and three others were facing the trial.

Kumar, bestowed with the Padma Vibhushan last year for his contribution to Indian cinema, had been given exemption from personal appearance in the case due to old age.