WEB DESK: Bollywood actress Zareen Khan acquitted from criminal case in Calcutta High Court, the Court observed the matter as a breach of contract not a criminal offence.
The Calcutta High Court has quashed a 2018 criminal case against Bollywood actress Zareen Khan, stemming from her alleged failure to appear as a guest artist at a Kali Puja event in November 2018.
The case, filed by Phoenix Talent Management, claimed that Zareen Khan breached her contractual obligation after receiving a payment of INR12 lakh, leading to a reported loss of INR42 crores for the agency.
The complaint accused Khan and her associates of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, cheating, and issuing threats under Sections 406, 420, 506, and 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). A charge sheet was subsequently filed in 2023, and the case was being heard in a Sealdah trial court.
In her defence, Zareen Khan argued that the matter was contractual and should not fall under criminal proceedings. Justice Bibhas Ranjan De agreed, stating, “The criminal courts are not meant to be used for settling scores or pressurizing parties to resolve civil disputes.” The judge further noted that a civil suit regarding the same issue was already pending before a Mumbai court.
The High Court emphasized that the dispute did not warrant criminal action and allowed Zareen Khan’s plea to quash the case.