Actor Dilip Kumar was acquitted in a cheque bouncing case by a Mumbai court on Tuesday, ending an 18-year-long legal battle for the Bollywood veteran. A cement company had filed the case in 1998 against the 94-year-old actor and three other people who were then directors of a trading firm. It was alleged that the cement company had invested around Rs 1 crore in the trading company where the actor was one of the directors. When the cement company sought repayment, the trading company had agreed to repay and issued cheques. All the cheques had bounced.
A magistrate’s court acquitted Kumar and one more director holding that the complainant failed to prove that they were active participants in the day-to-day affairs of the trading company. Expressing concern over her husband’s health, actress Saira Banu had asked his fans to pray that the stress related to the case should not affect him.
1) From Saira Banu: Breaks my heart to inform @TheDilipKumar fans. tomm, Tuesday, 18-yr-old court case in which Saab has been associated,
— Dilip Kumar (@TheDilipKumar) February 22, 2016
2) will be up for judgement hearing at 14 Met. Magistrate court, Girgaum, presided by Hon. Magistrate BS Kharade…
— Dilip Kumar (@TheDilipKumar) February 22, 2016
3).. At 94 yrs, Saab’s health is delicate, facing neurological problems, yet Saab has never prayed for case adjournment
— Dilip Kumar (@TheDilipKumar) February 22, 2016
4. Hope serious consternation n stress caused don’t affect his condition further. Saab needs peace n rest. I seek your prayers n support
— Dilip Kumar (@TheDilipKumar) February 22, 2016
She also praised Dilip Kumar for not praying for an adjournment for the hearing. The actor was bestowed with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan Award in 2015 for his contribution to Indian cinema.