12.12 PM Tuesday, 19 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 05:07 06:20 12:29 15:54 18:33 19:47
19 March 2024

Saif Ali Khan arrested, released on bail

Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan is escorted by the police at a police station in Mumbai February 22, 2012. Khan has been charged with assaulting two fellow diners at Mumbai's Taj Mahal Palace hotel, police said on Wednesday and is currently released on bail. (REUTERS)

Published
By Ajanta Paul

Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan was arrested on Wednesday evening for assaulting an NRI. But soon he was released for an undisclosed amount of bail.

The Nawab of Pataudi and Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan has taken his action hero role a tad bit more seriously. The 'Agent Vinod' actor while dining with his friends apparently created a ruckus in Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai at 1 am on Wednesday.

Various charges were slapped on Saif and police registered a case of assault.

Talking to Emirates 24|7 Iqbal Sheikh, assistant commissioner of police, Colaba division said, "Police went to look for Mr Saif in his house but couldn't find him there. They also went looking for him in his office. But later his lawyer called us to inform that Saif was in his chamber. When the police arrived there Saif accompanied with them to the police station."

Iqbal Sharma, an NRI businessman from South Africa, was dining with his family in the same restaurant as Saif and his friends. Sharma objected to the loud noise made by the group and complained about it to the hotel management. The Sharma family decided to change table because to the disturbance.

Allegedly Saif didn't take it very lightly and an altercation broke between the two group. Sharma claims that during the scuffle Saif assaulted him and in the process his father-in-law fell and bruised his jaw.

ACP Sheikh said, "Saif came to the police station and gave his side of the story. He also filed a complaint against Iqbal Sharma for misconduct. We will take furthur action after proper investigation.

Saif got released after payment of undisclosed amount of bail. He gave a statement that his friends and the women present with him were abused and that he was also hit by Sharma.

Whatever he did was in his own defence. He urged the media to carry both side of the story. If a case is filed against Iqbal Sharma after Saif's complaint then the NRI might not be able to travel back to South Africa.

Police are also questioning hotel staff and examining the CCTV footage.

Saif has been extensively promoting his home production 'Agent Vinod' and this development might come as a hindrance in the process.

'Agent Vinod' is releasing on 23rd March 2012.