Saif Ali Khan midnight brawl case: Court refers matter for mediation

A Mumbai court has referred Saif Ali Khan- NRI businessman midnight brawl matter for mediation after consent from both the parties.

Saif in a still from 'Race 2'.

Mumbai: Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan appeared before a city court to depose in relation to the infamous 2012 midnight brawl case. The actor had allegedly assaulted an NRI businessman named Iqbal Sharma and his father-in-law, following an unpleasant altercation. The court has referred the matter for mediation after consent from both the parties.

A local metropolitan magistrate court in the first week of April, gave "a last chance" to actor Saif Ali Khan to appear before the court on the next date of hearing.

Khan and his two friends -- Bilal Amrohi and Shakkel Ladak -- were arrested following a complaint filed by Iqbal Mir Sharma, an NRI businessman, after an alleged fight at a restaurant inside Taj Hotel here on February 22, 2012. The three were later released on bail.

The court has framed charges against them under Sections 325 (assault) and 34 (common intention) of Indian Penal Code. However, they have pleaded innocence.

According to the police, when Sharma protested the raucous chatter of the actor and his friends, Saif allegedly threatened him and subsequently punched Sharma in the nose, fracturing it. The NRI businessman also accused Saif and his friends of hitting his father-in-law Raman Patel.

Saif, on the other hand, said that Sharma made provocative statements and used abusive language against the women accompanying him (including his wife, actor Kareena Kapoor and her sister Karishma) which led to a spat.

(With PTI inputs)