Koffee With Karan Remarks: Rajasthan Police To File "Closure Report" In Case Against Karan Johar, KL Rahul & Hardik Pandya

The Rajasthan government on Monday informed the High Court that the Police is set to file a closure report in a criminal case registered against Karan Johar and cricketers KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya over their remarks on the filmmaker's talk show- Koffee With Karan.Dr. Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati was hearing their petitions for quashing of FIRs when the Public Prosecutor informed that final report/ closure report has been chalked on 11.3.2021 and the same is likely to be submitted before the competent court expeditiously.The trio was booked for allegedly making certain derogatory statements against women during an episode of the Bollywood talk show.The FIRs were filed by one Devaram Meghwal at police station Luni, Jodhpur under sections 153(A) ,292, 295(A), 504 of IPC, 67 of the Information & Technology Act, 2000 and 3(1)(u) & 3(1)(v) of the SC ST (Prevention of Atrocities Act) 1989.It was alleged in the FIR that Karan Johar, in order to allegedly increase the TRP of the show, intentionally participated in the conversation with Hardik Pandya, which resultantly insulted women. It was added that the accused persons collectively played with the feelings of women and since the above content is present on social media, it is damaging the image of the entire class of women.Finding the petitions infructuous, the High Court dismissed the same. Earlier, the High Court had directed that no coercive steps shall be taken against the petitioners and permitted the petitioners to present their case before the Investigation Officer through their Legal Representative/ Legal Advisor.In their representation before the Investigation Officer, Johar's counsel had submitted that the show comprises various rounds, whereby the host asks instant questions to the participants and seeks their opinion and generally tries to have a lighthearted conversation about their personality, likes, and dislikes, etc. In furtherance, it was also submitted that in no manner any unparliamentary or derogatory statement is directed against anyone, especially women during the show. It was added that several women celebrities are also invited as participants; on the said show. The representation stated that the host cannot anticipate the answers which are given by the celebrities/ participants on the show. It was also stated that the said episode was immediately pulled down and therefore, in any event, there is no question for the complainant raising any alleged grievances.Advocates Nishant Bora, Pankaj Kumar Gupta, Aditya Singh Rathore and Firoz Khan appeared on behalf of the petitioners while PP Arun Kumar, Adv. Anil Bidan Halu and Adv. Praveen Karwa appeared for the respondents.Case Title: Karan Johar v. State, Through P.p. & Anr. with other connected mattersCitation: 2022 LiveLaw (Raj) 212Click here to read/ download Order

Koffee With Karan Remarks: Rajasthan Police To File "Closure Report" In Case Against Karan Johar, KL Rahul & Hardik Pandya

ANIRUDH VIJAY

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