Film actor Kamal R Khan has approached the Bombay High Court challenging a first information report (FIR) filed against him for defamation and promoting enmity between groups following his critical review of the film “Laxmii.”
A division bench of Justice Nitin Sambre and Justice RN Laddha has sought a response from the State on Khan’s petition and scheduled the matter for hearing on September 5.
The FIR was lodged based on the complaint of Rahul Kanal, a member of the Eknath Shinde faction of Shiv Sena.
Kanal alleged that Khan’s review and remarks on the film were published with the intention of inciting animosity between Hindus and Muslims, potentially leading to clashes between the groups.
Khan argued that the FIR was an abuse of the legal process in all respects. “It appears that Khan has been booked into the said FIR possibly because he contested an election against the candidate of the said political party, which had arrangements with another political party,” the petition stated.
Khan further contended that the FIR did not disclose any offense committed by him and should, therefore, be quashed.
The actor was booked under Sections 153A (promoting enmity between groups), 294 (obscenity), 500, 501 (defamation), and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code.
In addition to seeking the quashing of the FIR, Khan also requested a stay on any further steps taken in connection with the FIR, including the filing of a chargesheet.
