Saif and two others charge sheeted in assault case

MUMBAI: The Colaba Police on Thursday filed a chargesheet against actor Saif Ali Khan and two of his associates for assaulting a South African businessman and his father-in-law at a south Bombay five-star hotel earlier this year. Saif and the other accused-businessman Shakeel Ladak and producer Bilal Amrohi-were present in the 8th Metropolitan Magistrate court when the police submitted the 120-page chargesheet, which will soon be handed over to the three.

Investigating officer S Vaval declined to divulge the details of the chargesheet as the matter is sub-judice. But a source said the police filed it under sections 325 (assault) read with 34 (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC. The chargesheet reportedly states that Saif and his friends punched Raman Patel and his businessman son-in-law, Iqbal Meer Sharma, fracturing the latter's nose. The police have also submitted medical reports and the CCTV images of the brawl. A total of 29 witnesses have reportedly said they had seen Saif and his friends hit and manhandle Sharma. Now it has to be seen whether these witnesses will stand in the court of law during the trial or will turn hostile as most of the witnesses are known to both the parties.

But Saif claimed he had merely retaliated to Sharma's punches and alleged that the businessman had passed comments at him. "Whoever might have been in the wrong, we have made the case strong and we will see that it reaches its logical end," said ACP Shivaji Kolekar.

The case dates back to February 22 when Saif, along with Kareena, Karisma, Malaika AroraKhan, Amrita Arora and some male friends, went to Taj. At the same place were complainant Sharma with his family. According to the police, when Sharma asked Saif's table to be quiet, the actor asked him to go to the library. if he needed silence.

Later, Sharma's family finally decided to change tables and while doing so,

Saif allegedly threatened him. In his complaint, Sharma stated that Saif fractured his nose and his father-in-law was also hit.

He used abusive language and when the argument furthered, Saif punched me and fractured my nose," Sharma had stated in his complaint. When Sharma's father-in-law tried to intervene, he too was assaulted and he fell to the ground, said a source, adding that around that moment, Ladak and Amrohi also punched Patel.