Is the Narendra Modi-led government contemplating to take back actor Saif Ali Khan’s Padma award?
Union Home Ministry has asked the Mumbai Police to expedite the sending a report on alleged brawl involving Padma Shri awardee Saif Ali Khan in a restaurant, pending since the past seven months.
The report was sought following a complaint from an RTI activist who had demanded that Khan be stripped off the coveted civic honour in the wake of reported framing of charges against the actor by a Mumbai court.
Responding to an RTI application, the Union Home Ministry said it has sought a report from Mumbai Police on the alleged brawl and the report was awaited.
“As regard to Saif Ali Khan, no response to this Ministry’s letter No 1/3112014-Public dated August 20, 2014 has been received from Mumbai Police. Mumbai Police has been reminded to expedite the matter…,” the Ministry said in a RTI response to activist Subhash Agrawal.
Similarly, the Ministry has also complaint against another Padma Shri recipient Arun Firodia to concerned tax authority, the response said.
Agrawal had approached Home Ministry with a complaint alleging that charges were framed against Khan by a Mumbai court in a case of brawl in a restaurant there.
“Film-actor is already facing several other criminal cases against him. An RTI response revealed that Saif Ali Khan, involved in many criminal cases, was recommended for Padma awards by ‘Awards Committee’ in its meeting without mentioning name of member of committee having recommended his name,” Agrawal had alleged.
He had demanded that Home Ministry should take back Padma award not only from Saif Ali Khan but also from other such controversial persons.
Based on his complaint, the Ministry has shot off letter to Mumbai Police seeking report on Khan.
