Delhi High Court Seeks Salman Khan's Reply on Producer's Jurisdiction Plea in Kala Hiran Case

Newdelhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday sought actor Salman Khan's response to an application by the makers of Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legal, who have asked the court to reject his suit on the ground that it lacks territorial jurisdiction. Khan has sought to restrain the release of the film, which is purportedly based on him.

Justice Tejas Karia issued notice to Khan on producer Amit Jani's application, which also sought a stay on further proceedings in the suit. The actor has been given four weeks to file his response, and the matter is scheduled to be heard on December 16.

In his plea, Jani said neither the plaintiff nor any of the defendants resides or carries on business within the territorial jurisdiction of the Delhi High Court. He argued that the mere accessibility of the film's teasers, posters and related publications in the national capital cannot give the court jurisdiction. According to the producer, Khan lives in Mumbai, while the defendants reside or conduct business in Meerut in Uttar Pradesh.

Jani also opposed Khan's request to stop the film's release, saying an injunction against a completed cinematographic work is an extraordinary remedy. He said a short teaser cannot provide a complete assessment of the film's context and overall impact. Earlier, the producer had filed a similar petition against another suit filed by Khan seeking protection of his personality rights. On July 27, a coordinate bench had passed an interim order directing the removal of the film's teaser and other related posts from online platforms after Khan objected to them. The makers had told the court that the film was not ready for release as it was yet to receive certification from the censor board, and that even the trailer had not been released.

Khan's plea to restrain the film's release is part of his lawsuit for protection of his personality rights. The makers, however, have told the court that the film is not Salman Khan's biopic and that he cannot invoke personality rights to erase public events linked to the blackbuck controversy.