Bombay HC comes to aid of bollywood actor Salman Khan, quashes criminal intimidation case filed against him 
Justice Bharati Dangre [30-03-2023]

LE Correspondent

Mumbai, March 31, 2023: The Bombay High Court has dismissed a Journalist’s criminal intimidation case filed against Bollywood actor Salman Khan and his bodyguard.

By the said Order, Justice Bharati Dangre held in very clear terms that no offence could be said to have been committed by Salman Khan or his bodyguard under Sections 504 or 506 of IPC.

In the complaint, filed by the journalist, Ashok S. Pandey, against Salman Khan it was alleged that while travelling from Juhu to Kandivali with his cameraman, he noticed that the actor was going on the same way by cycle and his bodyguard was escorting him.  

When the Complainant started recording the video of the actor, his bodyguard noticed the same. He suddenly jumped on the complainant’s car and allegedly started assaulting the Complainant and hit the car in the said process.

It was also alleged that the actor not only assaulted the Complainant but had also, allegedly snatched the mobile phone of the Complainant. However, he later gave it back.

Thus, a Complainant was filed by the Journalist alleging commission of an offence 323, 392, 426, 506(Il), r/w section 34 of IPC. By the impugned order, the Trial Court issued process against Salman Khan and his bodyguard for alleged offences punishable under section 504 and 506 of the IPC. 

The actor as well as his bodyguard filed a criminal Application before the Bombay High Court challenging the impugned Order. It was their case that the Complainant had improved his case. It was submitted that all what was done by the Magistrate was to accept what was stated by the complainant in his affidavit. It was their case that the said procedure adopted by the Judge was contrary to law.

It was also stated that soon after the alleged incident , the complainant sent a written complaint, to the Senior Police Inspector of D.N.Nagar Police Station wherein there was no mention of assault and abuses by the applicant.

It was contended that allegations made by the complainant in the complaint were false and baseless. Not only this but it was also suggested that without any application of mind, the Magistrate had mechanically issued process against the Applicant. It was submitted that there was no compliance of Section 200 and other provisions of CrPC.

Salman Khan was represented by counsel Senior Advocate Aabad Ponda along with advocates Vikram Sutaria, Agastya Desai and briefed by a team from DSK Legal including managing partner, Anand Desai and partners, Chandrima Mitra & Parag Khandhar

Taking note of such submissions & aspects, the High Court held that no offence could be said to have been committed by the actor or his bodyguard under Sections 504 or 506 of IPC.

Thus, the Bench quashed the said order and set it aside.