PIL Before Delhi High Court Seeks For Removal Of Amitabh Bachchan's Voiceover In Covid-19 Awareness Caller-Tune

The petition cites prior cases against Bachchan and claims that by very virtue of those cases having been filed against or pending against Bachchan, the actor is "not suitable" for such "service" while also "charging an amount for the same".

The cases cited include a writ petition moved by the National Organization for Tobacco Eradication before the Bombay High Court for alleged violation of the Anti-Tobacco Act by him for endorsing e-cigarettes of "Anchor Company"; and a writ petition pending adjudication on maintainability, filed by Bachchan challenging the declaration of farming land allotment to him, before the Allahabad High Court.

The petition also cites a 2011 news article published by Times of India wherein a prime witness in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots has been quoted as asking why no FIR had been lodged against Bachchan for allegedly provoking a rioter even though a footage regarding the same had apparently been seen by "everyone" on Doordarshan.

Listing some other such allegations against Bachchan, the petitioner, one Rakesh, who claims to be a social worker, has sought the removal of Bachchan's voiceover from the Covid-19 caller-tune. Besides his reliance on cases against Bachchan, Rakesh has also claimed that there are many other Covid-19 warriors who have served the nation in various forms during the pandemic, and Bachchan who is also getting paid for his voiceover is not the most suitable choice for the same.

The court has not issued notice on the petition yet, and listed it for hearing on Jan 18