[Raees Promotion Stampede] "Will Ask Shah Rukh Khan To Apologise, Put An End To This": Gujarat HC In Actor's Quashing Plea

The Gujarat High Court on Thursday heard a plea filed by Actor Shah Rukh Khan regarding a criminal case registered against him for a stampede that happened at Vadodara Railway Station during his film, Raees' promotions in the year 2017.

The Bench of Justice Nikhil S. Kariel observed that it would be a better option if Shah Rukh Khan is asked to apologize rather than asking him to face the trial in the matter.

The case in brief 

As per the FIR, Shahrukh Khan was Travelling on a Train from Mumbai to Delhi, and when the train reached the Vadodara railway station, a huge crowd gathered to get a glimpse of Khan. During the promotion, Shah Rukh Khan waived his hand and threw t-shirts and balls among the people, due to which a stampede was caused and the police had to lathi-charge on the Public.

Further, due to the stampede, one person had died, several people got injured and two policemen had fainted during the event.

After the said incident, a Local Congressman, Jitendra Solanki filed a complaint in the matter and the police lodged a case against Khan thereafter, the court took cognizance of the case issued him summon to face charges under Sections 336, 337, and 338 of IPC and Sections 145, 150, 152, 154 and 155 (1) (a) of the Railways Act, 1989.

Subsequently, Khan approached the High Court for quashing of the FIR and the High Court stayed the trial in July 2017. Now, during the hearing of the matter on February 17, 2022.

Before the Court, Khan's counsel argeud that Khan did not enter the platform of the railway station and he only waived his hand and threw t-shirts, balls among the public which is not any offence. Further, it was also contended that the person who died during the stampede was a heart patient and passed away due to some other reasons.

Court's observations 

At the outset, the Court, in a lighter vein asked the counsel for the opposite side as to what would happen if Khan is asked to face the trial. "If you want the trail to take place with regard to the allege offence, imagine the kind of chaos that would be caused, do you want that?", the Court said jokingly.

"I will ask him (Khan) to send an apology letter to you. Put an end to this matter," the Court observed as it adjourned the matter for further hearing on February 24.