Rape remark row: Salman Khan ignores NCW's summons again!

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan on Friday defied National Commission for Women's summons and did not appear before it to clarify his controversial 'rape' remark, a day after he missed a date with the Maharashtra women's panel. NCW said it received a legal response from Salman's team and is evaluating the next step.

"It may be noted that today, i.e. 08.07.2016, Mr Khan or his legal team has not appeared before the Commission. However, the Commission has received a response from his legal team, which is currently being examined by the Commission," NCW said in a statement.

NCW Chairperson Lalitha Kumaramangalam, however, refused to spell out on what possible action could be taken against the 50-year-old actor. NCW had written to the actor to issue a public apology but later summoned him after it found his reply "unapologetic and unsatisfactory". Salman courted controversy when he compared his gruelling workout for his movie "Sultan" left him feeling like a raped woman.

The commission had also warned Salman that if he failed to appear before the panel it may proceed to take action against him as it deems fit. The summons sent to the actor last week had said, "Commission finds that you are not willing to apologise for the remarks made by you. The explanation offered by you, after making such an irresponsible and callous statement... doesn't amount to an apology."

Salman had also failed to appear before the Maharashtra State Commission yesterday for the second time. The state commission has now asked the actor to appear before it on July 14.