Andheri Court Summons Salman Khan, Bodyguard On Journalists' Criminal Intimidation Complaint

Ashok Pandey in his private complaint to the Magistrate alleged that Khan had snatched his mobile phone while cycling on a Mumbai-street when some media persons started clicking his photos. The actor argued with him and then threatened him, he added.

Metropolitan Magistrate RR Khan relied on a police report in the matter, which stated that prima facie offences under Indian Penal Code Sections 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) and 506 (criminal intimidation) are made out against the accused. The summons is returnable on April 5, 2022.

"Keeping in view the self-speaking material on record, positive police report u/s 202 of CrPC and other material on record, there is sufficient grounds to proceed against the accused persons for offences u/s 504, 506 of the IPC. Hence, I am satisfied to issue process against the accused persons through the following order," the order read.

Pandey had initially filed a complaint alleging offences under sections 324, 392,426,506(ii) and 34 of the IPC and sought for an FIR to be registered u/s 156(3). However, the court turned down the request for an FIR but directed investigation u/s 202 of the CrPC to ascertain if there are sufficient grounds to proceed against Khan and his bodyguard.

The police report claimed that only offences under sections 504 and 506 of the IPC were made out and process was issued accordingly. While Section 506(ii) of the IPC is non-bailable, punishment under section 506 of the IPC is for a term which may extend upto two years, or with fine, or both.

Advocate Fazil Hussain Shaikh appeared for the complainant.