This Article is From Feb 24, 2012

Saif Ali Khan assault case: Top 10 facts

Saif Ali Khan assault case: Top 10 facts
Mumbai: One of the employees of the Mumbai hotel where actor Saif Ali Khan allegedly punched an NRI businessman on Tuesday night has given a statement that goes against the claims made by the actor.

Here are top 10 facts in the case:

1) Actor Saif Ali Khan's scuffle with NRI businessman Iqbal Sharma happened at Wasabi, the uber-fancy restaurant at the Taj Hotel in Colaba, on Tuesday night.

2) When the incident happened, Mr Sharma, a businessman from South Africa, was seated at the table next to Saif and his group. The other Bollywood stars accompanying him were his girlfriend Kareena Kapoor, Kareena's sister Karisma Kapoor, actor Amrita Arora, her husband Shakeel Ladak, Amrita's sister Malaika Arora Khan and producer Bilal Amrohi.

3) Mr Sharma says Saif and his friends were "making a lot of noise" and so he sent a note to their table, asking them to talk a little softer. He says he even took it up with the management but to no avail. Mr Sharma and his family say they then decided to leave the restaurant. On their way out, says Mr Sharma, they ran into Saif who had left Wasabi and was on his way back in. At this point, Mr Sharma says, Saif struck.  

4) Saif was arrested late on Wednesday evening based on a complaint filed against him by Mr Sharma. Actress Kareena Kapoor accompanied him when he went to the police station. He was released on bail after being interrogated for 90 minutes. Shakeel Ladak and Bilal Amrohi too were released on bail. Hours later, Saif filed a counter complaint and stated his version of the events that led to the brawl. He also alleged that his eye was swollen after he was hit. But sources in Mumbai Police told NDTV that his complaint does not hold as he has not backed it with medical certificates.

5) Yesterday, the actor apologised for losing his cool and said,"...it is our responsibility that we always behave the right way. So in one way, I would like to apologise about what happened and I think even this could have been handled in a different way. I get angry at things any normal person will get angry at. But it should not be displayed in public."

6) Saif was arrested late on Wednesday evening based on a complaint filed against him by Mr Sharma. Actress Kareena Kapoor accompanied him when he went to the police station. The actor was released on bail the same day. Hours later, he filed a counter complaint and stated his version of the events that led to the brawl. He also alleged that his eye was swollen after he was hit. But sources in Mumbai Police told NDTV that his complaint does not hold as he has not backed it with medical certificates.

7) The police say no video cameras were installed in the area where the brawl took place at Wasabi. They have so far recorded the statements of 15 people and prima facie, say sources, there is a "strong case" against the actor.

8) One of the employees of the hotel where the brawl happened has given a statement that goes against the claims made by the actor. In his statement to the police, the employee has reportedly said that the actor provoked Iqbal Sharma and punched him first.

9) Actor Salman Khan has stood up in Saif's support. At an event in Mumbai today, he said, "I support Saif. My family was there (Malaika Arora Khan is Salman's sister- in-law) ...I know what happened."

10) Saif's home production, Agent Vinod, releases on March 23. The Bollywood actor has rubbished reports that the midnight brawl was a publicity stunt. "This is not a publicity stunt I hope this matter gets sorted out soon."
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