Mumbai court warns Malaika Arora of non-bailable warrant in 2012 assault case

The Esplande Magistrate Court in Mumbai lashed out at Bollywood actress Malaika Arora and warned of issuing a non-bailable warrant against her for not appearing in court as a witness in the trial against Saif Ali Khan in a 2012 assault case involving the actor and others.

The court, which had previously issued a bailable warrant against her twice, noted that "in spite of knowledge" actor Malika Arora "is trying to avoid the court proceeding intentionally".

Arora has to be present in a court which is conducting a trial against actors Saif Ali Khan Pataudi, Bilal Tajdar Amrohi and Shakil Fazal Ladakh for an altercation that took place in 2012.

During a hearing on Thursday, none of the accused reached the court to record their statement. Instead, a lawyer representing them filed an exemption from the appearance application and advocate A Shetty, appearing for Arora, filed a statement in writing with a request that the information be included as a part of the evidence.

As part of the trial procedure, Malaika has to appear in court



and, after deposing, will have to face cross-examination. Thus, the mere filing of a written statement would not have sufficed and, hence, the court said, "In spite of knowledge, she is trying to avoid the court proceeding intentionally".

The magistrate said that this was being allowed for the last time while there is already a standing bailable warrant against her. The magistrate said, "if she fails to present on the next date, an NBW will be issued".

In February 2012, Khan and his friends were arrested and later released on bail following a complaint filed by NRI businessman Iqbal Sharma at the Colaba Police Station after an altercation at a restaurant in a seven-star hotel in South Mumbai.

Khan with his friends and Sharma with his family were sitting at adjoining tables when loud noises from the actor's table allegedly annoyed Sharma, and he asked them to lower their voices. However, this led to heated arguments and an exchange of blows.

Malaika Arora’s sister, actor Amrita Arora, has already recorded her statement in the case.