Khushboo acquitted in Hindu Munnani case

Actress Khushboo has been acquitted of the charge of sacrilege by the second magistrate's court at Kumbakonam.

The Hindu Munnani in its petition against the actress had alleged that she had wounded the sentiments of the Hindu community by wearing footwear beside the statue of Goddess Mupperundevi on the dais at a public function organized to mark the launch of the film titled 'Vallamai Tharayo' in Chennai in November last.

The petitioner Ramnagar Gurumurthy, General Secretary of the Hindu Munnani, in his petition filed in the court of the second magistrate, Kumbakonam, on November 29, submitted that Khushboo had shown "disrespect" to Hindu deities, "insulting" Hindu sentiments.

The actress had pleaded innocence and contented that her act was unintentional.

Magistrate Babu Lal dismissed the petition on Feb.11 holding that the allegation was baseless.

Reacting to the court's verdict, Gurumurthy said his organization would move ahead with an appeal against the acquittal of the actress. The appeal would be filed in the Madurai bench of the High Court.

A seemingly relieved Kushboo told mediapersons that the controversy was uncalled for and the court has done justice to her. "I am really happy that the petition has been dismissed," she added and thanked the court for its 'sensible' verdict.

The actress had several cases filed against her around the State in the last two years for her alleged controversial statements. Her remarks on pre-marital sex had drawn strong protests from a section of the public and had caught much media attention.