Saturday, November 19 2005 14:09 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: The Madras High court has stayed defamation proceedings filed in four magistrate's courts in Tamil Nadu against Tamil film actress Kushboo, who is in the centre of a controversy over her remarks on pre-marital sex.

When the matter came up for hearing yesterday (Nov 18, 2005), Justice T V Masilamani, ordered stay of the proceedings in the Judicial Magistrate's courts in Mettur, Poonamallee, Chengalpattu and Tiruvarur.

With this the number of cases in which Kushboo has obtained stay has gone up to 10. There are five more cases against her in as many courts in the state.

Though the counsel for petitioners opposed any interim stay, the Judge granted it pointing out that the Madurai Bench of the High Court had passed similar orders.

The Judge also dispensed with the personal appearance of the actress in these courts for four weeks.

The actress has been summoned to appear before the Poonamallee court on November 23, at Chengalpattu court on November 24, at Tiruvarur court on November 25 and at Mettur court on December 16.