2012 brawl case: Mumbai court refers Saif Ali Khan's case to mediation centre

Mumbai: After the infamous brawl between Saif Ali Khan and Iqbal Mir Sharma, NRI businessman, a Mumbai court on June 18, referred the matter to mediation centre after consent from both the parties. After being given one last chance to appear in the court, Saif appeared before Mumbai court to depose in relation to the case. The next hearing is on July 27.

Saif's lawyer, Girish Kulkarni, said in a statement, "It is a compoundable aspect under section 325, mediation is permissible with the permission of the court. That is why the court suggested it. Saif is ready, the Public Prosecutor has suggested the same to Iqbal."

Saif Ali Khan at the Mumbai court on June 18. Photo: PTI

A local metropolitan magistrate court in the first week of April this year has given a last chance to Saif to appear before the court on the next date of hearing. However, Saif’s lawyer filed exemption application saying that he would shooting for an ad film abroad. Prosecutor Wajid Sheikh objected to the application and sought issuance of warrant against the actor. However after strict warning, Saif’s lawyer said that he will make sure the actor was present at the given date.

In 2012, Saif and his two friends – Bilal Amrohi and Shakeel Ladak were arrested following a complaint filed by Iqbal, after an alleged fight at a restaurant inside Taj Hotel. According to the police, Saif threatened Iqbal when he protested against the loud chatter of the actor and his friends, he later ended up punching him in the nose, fracturing it. Saif later beat up Iqbal’s father-in-law Raman Patel.

On the other side of the story, Saif said that he reacted violently after Iqbal made provocative statements and used abusive language against the women accompanying him, which led to the fight. The court had framed charges against them under Sections 325 (assault) and 34 (common intention) of Indian Penal Code.