Wednesday, May 23, 2012

SRK’s cigarette controversy: Police arrives at Mannat

SRK`s cigarette controversy: Police arrives at Mannat
police on Tuesday arrived on the doorsteps of the Bollywood superstar after a court issued him a summon for allegedly smoking at Jaipur’s Sawai Man Singh Stadium during probably the most matches played there.

A constable from Rajasthan police issued summon to SRK’s members of the family at Mannat with the assistance of Bandra police. Shah Rukh was not present there on the time, as he had already left for Pune for KKR’s match against DD.

It was on April 8, during a game between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders, that Shah Rukh was spotted smoking at the stadium. The very next day, Anand Singh Rathore, director of Jaipur Cricket Academy, made a written complaint with Jyoti Nagar police in whose jurisdiction the stadium is located.

In his complaint, Rathore, alleged that despite there being a ban on smoking in public places, the actor puffed away in front of thousands of cricket fans. He said his fans idolise the actor, some even modelling themselves after him. So when Shah Rukh is seen lighting up in public, it sends the inaccurate signal to his young fans.

Taking cognisance of the complaint under section 5/11 of Rajasthan Prohibition of Smoking Act of 2000, chief metropolitan magistrate’s court of Jaipur ordered summons to the actor, asking him to stay present for hearing of the case on May 26.

Before delivering the notice, constable Chitar Mal, who came to Mumbai on behalf of Jyoti Nagar police in Rajasthan, said, “I have been ordered by my superior to offer this summon personally to Shah Rukh. If he isn't present I WILL BE ABLE TO give it to other family members found in the home and take their signatures.”

A team from Bandra police helped Chitar Mal reach Mannat. A heavy crowd was gathered outside, waiting to get a glimpse of Shah Rukh. There has been a massive traffic jam, which eased after an hour.

Senior police inspector Abhay Shastri from Bandra said, “The Rajasthan police reached here at 3 pm and after creating a diary entry on our records, we helped the constable reach Shah Rukh’s house. The summon was given to a relative as SRK was not present, after which our team came back.”

Just last week, after an alleged scuffle and exchange of words with Wankhede stadium staff and MCA officials, Shah Rukh was issued a five-year ban from entering the venue. BCCI is reviewing the problem.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com