SC quashes 22 cases against Kushboo

The Supreme Court on Wednesday quashed 22 criminal cases filed against Tollywood actor of yesteryears, Kushboo for her remarks endorsing pre-marital sex.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices Deepak Verma and B S Chauhan allowed the appeal filed by the actor against the decision of the Madras High Court which dismissed her plea to quash the cases.

The cases were registered in Tamil Nadu for her reported opinions in 2005.The court said the views expressed by her were personal and no one had the right to question them.

Kushboo kicked up an public outcry by her statements on pre-marital sex. One of her comments that "no educated man would expect his wife to be a virgin" created bewilderment and furore in Tamil Nadu.

The Dalit Panthers Party of India and the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) hauled her over the coals and filed a slew of cases in various courts throughout Tamil Nadu.

The actor also had to face a series of protests and eggs were hurled at her when she appeared before a magistrate.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had opined that a man and woman living together without marriage cannot be construed as an offence.

"When two adults want to live together they make no offence," a three-judge bench led by Justice K G Balakrishnan observed.The apex court was categorial in saying that there was no law which prohibits live-in relationship or pre-marital sex.