My Friends were Abused, I was Assaulted: Saif
Update
Mumbai, Feb 22 (IANS): Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan, who was arrested Wednesday evening after being embroiled in a scuffle with an NRI businessman and later released on bail, says his friends, including girlfriend Kareena Kapoor, were abused and he was assaulted.
"There was an ugly incident last night (Tuesday) where my friends and the ladies with us were abused and I was assaulted. I was hit and I defended myself," Saif said in a statement.
Saif (left) is accused of assaulting Iqbal Sharma (right)
The 41-year-old was virtually declared 'wanted' for assaulting South African NRI businessman Iqbal Sharma, who is also the director general and CEO of the Trade, Industry & Investments of South Africa.
He was charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code for allegedly assaulting Sharma in the Taj Mahal Hotel around 1 a.m. Wednesday morning. Saif and two of his friends Shakeel Ladak and Bilal Amrohi, were arrested but they are now out on bail.
Saif says he has filed a complaint too.
"I have been to the police station to answer the requirements of law as I am a law abiding citizen. I have also filed a complaint about what happened last night and I am confident justice will be done," he said.
"I have seen the interviews given on TV and they look like decent people and I cannot believe that the same people were so aggressive the night before and the lies that they are saying about me with such straight faces. I think they have the CCTV footage in the restaurant that will prove everything.
"I hope the media is able to remain impartial while the matter is being decided. I don't think any gentleman would have behaved differently," added Saif.
Earlier Sharma told TimesNow television that Saif called him an "idiot" for complaining about the actor's loud conduct at a restaurant in the Taj Mahal Hotel.
He said he and his family had requested the restaurant manager to ask Saif and his friends, which included Kareena, Amrita Arora and Malaika Arora Khan, to keep their voices down. But the situation turned ugly.
Earlier News
Assault Case: Saif Ali Khan Surrenders, Arrested, Likely to Get Bail
Daijiworld Media Network
Mumbai, Feb 22: Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, who has been accused of assaulting an Indian-origing South African businessman, surrendered at his lawyer's chamber, and was arrested by Colaba police on Wednesday February 22. He was soon let out on bail after being charged for assault under section 325 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intent) of IPC.
Saif surrendered after he was accused of calling names and punching Iqbal Sharma at a luxury restaurant on Tuesday February 21 night.
According to Sharma, Saif and his friends, including girlfriend Kareena Kapoor were making too much noise, and he asked the management to tell them to speak softly. Sharma and his family then shifted to another part of the hotel, and at some point of time, Saif and Sharma came across each other. Saif allegedly started calling him names and reportedly said, "Do you known who I am?" and "Who are you to tell me?" and told him to go to a library if he wanted peace. A scuffle then broke out, and Saif allegedly punched Sharma's nose.
Police then lodged a case of assault against Saif.
Along with Saif and Kareena, the latter's sister Karishma, Amrita Arora and Malaika Arora Khan too were present, sources said.
Following his arrest, the police took his statement and let him out on bail. Kareena too was taken for questioning, it is learnt.
This is not the first time Saif is in trouble - in 2008, he was accused of assaulting a photographer, after which he apologized and reached a compromise. He was not arrested then.
Saif-Kareena starrer 'Agent Vinod' is due for release in March.