I was angry, not drunk... they started it: Shah Rukh

Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Shah Rukh Khan on Thursday refuted allegations that he was drunk during the alleged scuffle between him and Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) officials after the IPL match between the Kolkata and Mumbai teams at the Wankhede Stadium the previous night. Instead, Khan blamed the MCA officials, saying they were “aggressive and rude”.

Police today registered a non-cognizable offence against the actor and three others for the incident during which Khan allegedly pushed and

abused an MCA security guard on the ground near the dressing room at about 15 past midnight after Kolkata defeated Mumbai.

According to statements recorded by police, Khan allegedly pushed Vikas Dalvi (52), after he was told to leave the playing area along with his entourage of about 14 people. He was then escorted out of the premises by police.

Khan today said he had gone to pick his children up from the ground when the incident took place.

“The officials were rude and aggressive. They have said that I was drunk, but I was not. I did get angry and said a few things, but left. I was alone while there were about 20-25 officials, who were speaking rudely,” he told reporters.

Khan said he would issue no clarification. “I did nothing illegal and was not on the pitch. I am not denying the fact that there were some abusive words, but it started when a person came from behind and told me something in Marathi, which I did not understand. I will write a letter of complaint against these persons for their behaviour,” he said.

After the incident, MCA officials submitted a letter of complaint against the actor at the Marine Drive police station. Officers said the letter was signed by MCA joint secretary Nitin Dalal.

“The letter states that Khan was smelling of alcohol at the time of the incident. It mentions the Morani brothers and 12 other unknown persons who were there with the actor. In the letter, MCA officials said that security guards asked some children who were with Khan to leave the ground. They alleged that he took offence and an altercation then ensued,” Assistant Commissioner of Police (Colaba Division) Iqbal Shaikh said.

In his statement to the police, Dalvi has accused Khan of pushing him and using abusive language.

“He has told us that he was pushed by Khan and that the actor also used a lot of abuses, and threatened him. Dalvi has told us of the possible involvement of three other persons, but does not know their names. On the basis of his statement, a non-cognizable offence has been filed against Khan under sections 323 (causing hurt) and 504 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace) of the Indian Penal Code,” the officer said.

CCTV footage to be examined

“We have asked MCA for CCTV footage of the incident to see what led to the scuffle. If anything is proved by the footage, necessary steps will be taken. At this stage, we will not call Khan to record his statement until the footage shows something concrete and more witnesses come forward,” Shaikh said.

“The letter by the MCA also mentions that Khan abused a woman, but we have not been able to trace her yet,” he added.

MCA treasurer Ravi Savant denied that Khan was pushed and manhandled.

“If we have manhandled him then why didn’t he go to the police station and complain like we did? Why did he have to wait for 12 hours? He was drunk and his behaviour was such. He says he does not understand the local language, then how did he understand the alleged abuse? And if he doesn’t understand, then why did he get agitated?” Savant said.

Savant said Khan’s claims were “lies”. “He (Khan) came with 25-30 children but none of them were manhandled or abused. It’s all lies that MCA officials manhandled them. These are all after-thoughts or ideas and excuses he made up later,” he said.

Savant said a meeting has been called to discuss the issue on Friday. “We will propose a lifetime ban on him (from entering the Wankhede). At a cricket ground, discipline is primary and Khan should understand that. If he does not know that, he should not come here. Either way, the game will go on.”

Union minister and MCA chief Vilasrao Deshmukh said, “Despite attempts to pacify him, Shah Rukh Khan was in no mood to listen. He used abusive language. MCA managing committee will the take final call on the lifetime ban.”

Src: indianexpress.com