The Supreme Court quashed 22 criminal cases filed against South Indian actress Khushboo for her remarks in various magazines allegedly endorsing pre-marital sex on Wednesday.
A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices Deepak Verma and B S Chauhan allowed the appeal filed by the actress against the decision of the Madras high court, which had dismissed her plea to quash the cases.
The cases were registered in various places in Tamil Nadu for her interviews in 2005.
Reacting to the verdict, a relieved Khusbhoo, 39, said, "If you are honest and if you are fighting for justice, then whatever political or money power anybody has, there is a lot to protect the normal citizen and my case has proved it."
The actress, who fought in the courts for four-and-half-years, said she was grateful to the Supreme Court, which took into account the entire case including the complete transcripts of what she had stated.
"I would like to thank the Supreme Court and all the people and friends who have stood by me all these years," she said.
Khushboo in her interviews had said it was fine for girls to indulge in pre-marital sex after taking precautions to keep unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases at bay. Later, she had justified her statement by saying no educated man could expect his partner to be a virgin.
Taking exceptions to her remarks, political outfits and a few actors had said that her views went against Tamil culture and values.
Taken aback by the outcry, Kushboo had tendered an open apology to Tamils, especially women, saying she would never dream of sullying the image of the Tamil people.
Following this, cases had been filed against the actress.