The Esplanade court on Thursday framed charges of assault against actor Saif Ali Khan and two others accused of hitting a South African businessman at a five-star hotel in February 2012. Khan and his associates, Shakeel Ladak and Bilal Amrohi, were present in court as charges were framed under sections 325 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt) and 34 (common intention) of the IPC.
Responding to additional chief metropolitan magistrate S S Gulhane's query, the trio pleaded not guilty.
Public prosecutor Wajid Shaikh said the matter would now be heard on April 30. Saif is expected to attend the hearing unless he seeks exemption. Court documents show he had earlier sought exemptions, citing professional commitments.
Saif, Ladak and Amrohi were arrested after South African resident Iqbal Sharma lodged a complaint after a fight at a restaurant of the hotel on February 22, 2012. They were released on bail after providing a surety of Rs 15,000 each. A 120-page chargesheet, which was filed on December 20, 2012, lists 29 witnesses, more than 15 of them being independent ones. The witnesses include celebrities Malaika Arora Khan, her sister Amrita Arora Ladak and designer Vikram Phadnis who were also present at the dinner. But Saif's wife Kareena Kapoor Khan and her sister Karisma Kapoor, who were also present, have been excluded. The chargesheet includes a copy of the restaurant bill of Rs 66,216, which was paid by Saif.
Copyright : timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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