SRK pleads guilty in smoking case

Jaipur Pleading guilty, Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan today sought exemption from personal appearance in a court here in a case related to smoking in public at a stadium here during an IPL match and expressed willingness to pay fine. Khan, co-owner of Kolkata Knight Riders, was summoned by the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate on a complaint that he was seen smoking on April 8 during a match between his team and Rajasthan Royals.

Khan’s counsel V R Bajva represented him in the ACJM court and pleaded guilty on his behalf. He said the matter was a “petty affair” and moved an application seeking exemption from personal presence of his client in the case but the same was objected by the counsel of the petitioner.

After hearing both the sides, magistrate Shilpa Sameer posted the matter for June 21.Khan is not required to remain present on the next hearing. The court, after taking cognisance of the complaint, had on April 26 issued summon to Khan directing him to appear before it. The complaint was filed by owner of a private cricket academy.

In his complaint, Anand Singh, who runs the Jaipur Cricket Academy, had sought action against Khan under section 5/11 of Rajasthan Prohibition of Smoking Act, 2000, which prohibits smoking at a public place. Singh filed the complaint on April 9. He said that pictures of Khan puffing away were published in newspapers the next day.

REUTERS