The Bombay high court on Thursday restrained a news channel from repeating the broadcast of a report relating to actor SalmanKhan and from broadcasting any similar report connected with the pending criminal trial against the actor in Mumbai in a 2002 case.
The actor had moved the HC on Wednesday seeking a restraint order and sought damages for defamation. On Thursday after hearing Khan's counsel Ravi Kadam, Justice S J Kathawala observed, "I am prima facie satisfied that the Defendants are indulging in broadcasting defamatory allegations against the plaintiff ( Salman Khan) which allegations are likely to prejudice the plaintiff in defence to the pending proceedings before the Sessions Court.''
The court added, "In view thereof, ad-interim relief is granted in terms of prayer clause (a) of the Notice of Motion. (to restrain the media house from telecasting or repeating the story). The actor had filed the suit and interim application only against one specific channel on its reporting in connection with the 2002 case where the actor's vehicle hitpavement dwellers in Bandra killing one and injuring others.
The trial has now been committed to the sessions court where it will start with an additional charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder under section 304-II of the Indian Penal Code.
The HC directed that a copy of its order be served on the defendants in the course of the day, who were not represented by any lawyer in court on Thursday, and placed the matter for further orders on Friday.