Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday set aside FIR against Marzban Shroff, a novelist, who was facing a criminal case for using the slang word 'ghati' for Maharashtrians in his short-story collection.

Justice V M Kanade said that he would pass reasoned order later.

The judge, himself a Maharashtrian, had earlier remarked that the term 'Ghati' was a mere slang word, and there are such words for nearly every community.

In Shroff's 'Breathless In Bombay', the word has been used, in a slightly derogatory sense.

Vijay Mudras, a social activist, had filed criminal complaint against Shroff, for hurting community sentiments.

Police had earlier closed the case against Shroff, but local magistrate then ordered further inquiry which the High Court today set aside.

Tags: Bombay high court, ghati

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