Casteism row: Criminal proceedings against Salman Khan stayed

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed at least five criminal proceedings and an enquiry under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against actor Salman Khan, filed in different states across the country for allegedly making disparaging comments against the 'Valmiki' community members during the promotion of his film 'Tiger Zinda Hai'

The top court was hearing a plea filed by Harnam Singh, ex-chairman of the Delhi Commission for Safai Karamcharis, who said that the actor used the word 'bhangi' during TV shows "which clearly insults the entire Valmiki community of the world."

He added that Khan had used the word while promoting his film 'Tiger Zinda Hai' at a reality dance show.

"No further criminal action shall be initiated against the petitioner either by way of FIR or private complaint on the basis of his participation in the purported interview," a bench led by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra along with Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud said.

In December 2017, an FIR had been registered in Churu, Rajasthan accusing Khan of demeaning the Valmiki community by using a derogatory term to describe them. Khan had allegedly used the derogatory term to describe his appearance on the reality show.

"In such a situation, there was no question of humiliating or hurting the sentiments of the community. So there was no case against him maintainable under SC/ST Act," Khan's counsel senior advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul had argued.