Interim relief for Govinda in 1997 song case

Govinda heaved a sigh of relief with the Bombay High Court yesterday granting him anticipatory bail after a proclamation notice was issued by a Jharkhand court against him. The HC noted if the police feel the need to arrest the actor, who is promoting his upcoming film, Aa Gaya Hero, they should grant him immediate bail on a personal bond of Rs 25,000 with single surety.

The Chief Judicial Magistrate of Pakur in Jharkhand had issued a proclamation warrant against the actor on February 6. It was taken to his house by local cops on February 27, but he wasn't present then. Govinda's petition says the case dates back to 1997 when Jharkhand was still a part of Bihar. A Bihar-based advocate had registered a case against the actor over the song, Ek chumma tu mujhko udhaar de de aur badle mein UP-Bihar le le, from his 1996 film Chhote Sarkar. Apart from Govinda, lyricist Anand Milind and singers Alka Yagnik and Udit Narayan were also named in the complaint which branded the song defamatory.
Govinda had claimed that the case was registered to malign his image and argued that the lyrics was neither defamatory nor obscene.

His lawyer claimed before the judge that he was not aware of the happenings in the Jharkhand court and came to know about it after receiving the notice. The judge, Sadhana Jadhav, then granted him interim relief from arrest. The next hearing is scheduled for March 6 in Pakur for which Govinda has to be present.