On Friday( January 22,2020), the Rajasthan High Court directed the state not to take coercive steps against filmmaker Karan Johar in a case which is connected to the “Koffee with Karan” controversy.The case was lodged in Jodhpur against him and Indian cricket team players Hardik Pandya & KL Rahul for allegedly making derogatory remarks against women.
DR Meghwal, a resident of Sarecha village in Jodhpur district, had filed an FIR with Luni police against all three of them. The complainant in the FIR alleged that in the TV show of ‘Koffee with Karan’, Pandya had made insulting remarks against women.
After hearing the petition of Karan Johar, Justice Dr. Pushpendra Singh Bhati ordered the complainant and the state government to submit their replies in the case. The court has also issued notice to the state government seeking the latest factual report in the case.
“The petitioner shall be permitted to present his case to the investigating officer through a legal representative or a legal advisor,” the court further said.
Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul had petitioned the Rajasthan high court last year seeking quashing of the FIR. The court had already given interim protection to both of them from arrest.
Back in 2019,Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul had appeared as guests on Karan Johar's chat show, wherein Karan Johar asked Pandya about interacting with women at night clubs.
"I like to watch and observe how they (women) move. I'm little from the black side so I need to see how they move," Hardik had said.
Hardik and KL Rahul had been suspended from two matches by the BCCI since then, while Karan Johar took down the episode's video from the show's official YouTube Channel.
