Mumbai – A Mumbai court has once again issued a bailable warrant against Bollywood actor Malaika Arora after she failed to appear as a witness in the long-pending hotel brawl case involving actor Saif Ali Khan. The case, which dates back to February 22, 2012, concerns an alleged physical altercation between Saif and an NRI businessman at a five-star hotel in South Mumbai.
Chief Judicial Magistrate K S Zanwar, presiding over the proceedings at the Esplanade court, is currently recording testimonies of witnesses connected to the incident. Arora, who was part of a group dining with Saif Ali Khan at the time of the alleged incident, was expected to be present for the hearing.
The initial bailable warrant against her was issued on February 15, 2025. However, following her continued absence, the court re-issued the warrant on Monday. The matter has been adjourned for the next hearing, scheduled for April 29.
The 2012 incident led to the arrest of Saif Ali Khan and his two associates, Shakeel Ladak and Bilal Amrohi, after NRI businessman Iqbal Mir Sharma filed a police complaint. All three accused were subsequently released on bail.
As per police reports, the altercation began after Sharma objected to the loud and disruptive behavior of Saif and his companions at the hotel’s restaurant. When Sharma allegedly asked them to lower their voices, Saif reportedly reacted aggressively and punched Sharma in the nose, causing a fracture. Sharma also claimed that the group assaulted his father-in-law, Raman Patel.
At the time, Saif was accompanied by his wife Kareena Kapoor Khan, her sister Karisma Kapoor, Malaika Arora, Amrita Arora, and a few other friends.
Saif has denied the allegations, stating that Sharma made provocative and abusive remarks directed at the women in his group, which escalated the situation.
Saif Ali Khan, Shakeel Ladak, and Bilal Amrohi have been charge-sheeted under Section 325 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to voluntarily causing grievous hurt.
The case continues to remain in the spotlight, drawing attention due to the high-profile personalities involved and the protracted legal proceedings that have followed the incident.
