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EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
Filmstar and noted mimicry artist Johny Lever was today convicted and sentenced to seven days imprisonment by a metropolitan magistrate for insulting the national anthem and the Constitution of India during a private performance in Dubai in 1989.
According to the police, Lever had performed at Hotel Hyatt Regency in Dubai on the first birthday bash of the son of Anis Ibrahim, brother of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. During the show, he mimicked and insulted the Indian national anthem and the Constitution by making vulguar and indecent gestures. The celeberations were recorded, and Mumbai police, after procuring a cassette of the bash, lodged a complaint under Section 2 of Indian Penal Code (Prevention of Insult to National Honour) in 1989.
Lever was sentenced by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate K H Holambe-Patil after the video cassette depicting his performance was produced before the court as evidence. His sentence includes seven days imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 1,000. Recently Leverhad moved the court seeking discharge from the case.
According to Lever's advocate Usman Vanjara, an application was made under Section 389 (1) of the Criminal Procedure Code for suspension of the sentence, but since it was already 6.30 pm and the cash counter was closed for the fine amount to be paid, the sentence is likely to be suspended till the appeal filed in the Sessions Court under Section 375 (b) is decided.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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