A Kolkata court has taken a significant legal step by recently issuing an arrest warrant against popular Bollywood actress Zareen Khan.
This is linked to a lingering alleged cheating case dating back to 2018, when the initial complaint was filed against her. The investigation into the matter eventually resulted in a charge sheet being filed against the actress, which was presented before the Sealdah court in Kolkata.
However, what stands out is Khan’s response, or rather her lack of it, to these legal proceedings. Despite being aware of the ongoing case against her, she neither sought bail nor appeared for her scheduled court hearings. Consequently, due to her repeated absences, the court has taken the step of issuing an arrest warrant against her.
When asked about the arrest warrant, Khan expressed her surprise and uncertainty about the situation. She maintained her belief that there is no truth to the allegations and stated her intention to consult with her legal counsel for clarification. She also suggested reaching out to her public relations team for interim updates.
The backdrop of this case harks back to an incident in 2018 when Khan was scheduled to perform at a Durga Puja event in Kolkata. However, to the disappointment of event organizers, she failed to make her anticipated appearance. Subsequently, one of the organizers lodged a formal complaint, accusing both Khan and her manager of cheating. This led to the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) against both individuals, who were subsequently summoned for questioning by the authorities.
During initial questioning, Zareen Khan contended that she had been misled by the event organizers. She asserted that she had received inaccurate information about the event, including claims that prominent political figures, including the Chief Minister of Bengal, would be in attendance. However, it later emerged that the event was relatively low-key, taking place in north Kolkata. Furthermore, she alleged miscommunication regarding flight arrangements and accommodations, which ultimately led to her decision to skip the event.
Notably, Khan responded to these circumstances by filing a case against the event organizers in a local court, adding a layer of legal complexity to the situation. Following investigations into these allegations and counter-allegations, a charge sheet was filed against both the actress and her manager. While her manager chose to appear before the court and seek bail, Khan opted for neither bail nor court appearances, culminating in the issuance of the recent arrest warrant against her.
All media persons, are required to note that the warrant “inadvertently” issued by the Magistrate against my client @zareen_khan will be dealt with, “on merits” as already detailed in my press note.
Please do read “my press note” to understand the correct facts of the matter. pic.twitter.com/yxPjVBbXgS
— Advocate Rizwan Siddiquee (@RizwanSiddiquee) September 17, 2023
Her attorney, Rizwan Siddiquee, has recently issued a statement addressing the situation, suggesting that it appears to be a consequence of misinformation. In a detailed two-page explanation, Siddiquee asserts that Khan has already received legal protection from the High Court of Calcutta regarding this case. He also highlights that the complainant has consistently delayed the process of serving legal documents in this matter.
The statement clarifies that the case revolves around an incident from 2018 when the actress was expected to perform at a Durga Puja event in Kolkata but failed to make an appearance.
Siddiquee’s statement reads, “I, on behalf of my client, Ms Zareen Khan, would like to unequivocally state the following: Any warrant that has been ‘inadvertently issued’ by the Learned Magistrate against my client appears to be a result of ‘miscommunication.’ My client has continuously enjoyed protection granted by the Hon’ble High Court of Calcutta in this particular case.”
Furthermore, Khan’s lawyer asserts that the actress was allegedly misled into believing that the Kali Puja event was organized by the West Bengal government with the involvement of the Chief Minister, the Sports Minister, and the Ex-Sports Minister, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding the case.
