A Mumbai court has expressed frustration over Malaika Arora’s repeated absence as a witness in the 2012 hotel brawl case involving Saif Ali Khan, accusing her of deliberately evading the legal process. After she missed the hearing on April 29, despite a bailable warrant issued earlier, the court has given her a final opportunity to appear, warning that a non-bailable warrant may be issued if she fails to comply.
Court Observes Intentional Avoidance of Legal Proceedings
The court stated that Arora was deliberately evading the legal process despite being fully aware of the summons served to her. She was among the group dining with Saif Ali Khan at a luxury hotel on February 22, 2012, when the reported incident took place.
As reported in PTI, a bailable warrant had been issued against the actor, ordering her to appear in court on April 29. Although Malaika Arora did not show up, Chief Judicial Magistrate K S Zanwar observed on Tuesday that her legal counsel was present during the proceedings.
“Despite the knowledge, she (Arora) is trying to avoid the court proceeding intentionally,” the court said.
Final Chance Given, Next Hearing Scheduled for July 9
The court gave the actor one final opportunity and scheduled the next hearing for July 9, warning that failure to appear on that date would lead to the issuance of a non-bailable warrant. Initially, a bailable warrant was issued against Arora on February 15, which was reissued on April 8 after she failed to attend.
Background of the Hotel Brawl Case
Following a complaint lodged by NRI businessman Iqbal Mir Sharma, Saif Ali Khan and two others were taken into custody. At the time of the altercation, Saif was at the hotel with his wife Kareena Kapoor, her sister Karisma Kapoor, Malaika Arora, Amrita Arora, and several male companions.