Producer Karim Morani excuses himself from court appearance

One of actor Shah Rukh Khan’s closest friend and business partners, producer Karim Morani sought exemption from appearing at the special court looking into the 2G scam on medical grounds yesterday.

Karim is among the five people named in the supplementary chargesheet  by the CBI in the 2G scam case. He was to appear at the Delhi special court on May 6 along with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi’s daughter and DMK MP Kanimozhi and Kalaignar TV Managing Director Sharad Kumar.

Buzz has it that Karim has been admitted to a suburban hospital when he complained of chest pain yesterday.

“He was in Delhi to consult his lawyers. When he came back home, he said that he was not feeling well and that his blood pressure had shot up. He was  immediately hospitalised. He’s now recuperating,” says a source.

“His family doesn’t want to talk about anything right now. He is doing fine but the number of his visitors are restricted. If it turns out to be  a case of heart attack, then he’ll have to be at the hospital for at least 10 days,” says a close family friend of the Moranis.

According to sources, Karim has been tense ever since his name cropped up in the multi-million score scam of the telecom industry that has already resulted in the arrest of former telecom minister A Raja.

“All his financial transactions are now under the scanner. He has not been questioned properly by the investigating authorities yet,” the source adds.

Apart from being one of the largest movie financiers and an event manager in Bollywood, Karim is said to be very close to Shah Rukh and is also the executive producer of his film, Ra.One. He also holds a ma jor stake in the star’s cricket team. Besides, Karim’s daughter Zoa is being launched by the actor in a film produced by his company.

None from the Morani family were available for a comment.