The legal proceedings in the 2012 hotel brawl case involving actor Saif Ali Khan have hit a roadblock as the court issued a stern warning to actor Malaika Arora for deliberately avoiding the legal proceedings. The court in Mumbai has granted Arora a final chance to appear as a witness and warned that a non-bailable warrant could be issued if she fails to appear in the next hearing scheduled for July 9, 2025.
Arora was part of the group of diners who accompanied Khan on the night of the alleged brawl on February 22, 2012, at a five-star hotel in Mumbai. The actor, who is a key witness in the case, has reportedly failed to attend court proceedings despite being summoned multiple times.
A String of Missed Appearances
Malaika Arora had been summoned to appear as a witness in the case, where a bailable warrant had been issued against her on February 15, 2025. However, she did not comply with the court’s order and failed to appear for the hearing on April 29. Her absence led the Chief Judicial Magistrate K.S. Zanwar to express displeasure over her intentional avoidance of the proceedings.
During the hearing, the court noted that Arora had been aware of the summons but still chose to skip the appearance, leading to the harsh remark that she was “intentionally” avoiding the legal process. While Arora’s advocate was present in court, her personal non-appearance led the judge to grant her a final opportunity, with a firm warning that if she failed to attend the next hearing on July 9, a non-bailable warrant would be issued against her.
The Brawl Incident
The hotel brawl, which occurred in February 2012, led to a series of legal confrontations. Saif Ali Khan, along with two other accused, was arrested following a complaint filed by NRI businessman Iqbal Mir Sharma. The incident occurred when Sharma objected to the loud chatter of Khan and his friends at the restaurant. According to the police report, Saif allegedly threatened Sharma and punched him in the nose, causing a fracture.
Sharma also accused Khan and his companions of attacking his father-in-law, Raman Patel, during the scuffle. Khan, however, claimed that Sharma had made provocative comments and used abusive language against the women in his group, which led to the altercation.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
Saif Ali Khan, along with his friends Shakeel Ladak and Bilal Amrohi, has been charge-sheeted under section 325 of the Indian Penal Code for causing grievous harm. Despite multiple attempts to summon Malaika Arora as a witness, the legal process has been delayed due to her repeated absences.
With the court now giving Arora one final chance to comply, the outcome of the case hinges on her cooperation in the coming months. If she fails to appear again, it could lead to further legal consequences, including the issuance of a non-bailable warrant against her.
The case continues to unfold, with public interest remaining high due to the involvement of several high-profile personalities. As the next hearing approaches, the court’s decision will be crucial in determining how the case progresses.
Sources By Agencies
