The Bombay High Court has recently asked actor Armaan Kohli to either pay Rs.50 lakh to his ex-girlfriend Neeru Randhawa as a settlement in the 2018 assault case against him or else he would be sent to prison.
Previously, Kohli’s ex-girlfriend Randhawa approached the high court, seeking a recall of a 2018 order where the court quashed the FIR registered by her and released Kohli from Arthur Road Prison.
Justices NW Sambre and RN Laddha said, “Either he pays, or we recall the order.”
THE 2018 ASSAULT CASE
The assault case dates back to June 3, 2018, when Neeru Randhawa alleged that she was brutally assaulted by Armaan Kohli, including being pushed down a flight of stairs and having her head banged against the floor. Randhawa suffered grievous injuries and had to undergo 15 sutures.
Initially, an FIR was filed, and Kohli was arrested. However, a settlement was reached, with Kohli providing a demand draft of Rs.50 lakh as a full and final settlement.
THE SETTLEMENT
As per the terms of the settlement, an additional Rs.50 lakh was to be paid to Randhawa after the completion of legal proceedings.
Two cheques of Rs.50 lakhs each were provided by Kohli’s lawyer, and signed by Kohli’s brother. However, these cheques were dishonored, leading Randhawa to seek the revival of the case against Kohli.
During the court proceedings, Advocate Kushal Mor, representing Randhawa, referred to the 2018 judgment in which the FIR was quashed.
Kushal Mor pointed out that Kohli had sent a notice to his own lawyer, alleging that the cheques were obtained through fraud and that he had no intention of honouring them.
Kohli’s counsel, Advocate Tarak Sayyad, mentioned the actor’s elderly parents, who are in their 90s, and emphasized their need for their son’s support.
A friend of Kohli’s also provided an affidavit supporting this claim. However, the court directed Sayyad to ensure that Kohli makes a decision regarding the payment and communicates it to the court by July 18.
