Updated: Apr 04, 2017, 04:22 PM IST

Watch Rakhi Sawant apologises after arrest warrant issued for her statement about Valmiki

A Punjab Police team has left for Mumbai to execute an arrest warrant issued by a local court against controversial TV and Bollywood actress Rakhi Sawant.

A Punjab Police team has left for Mumbai to execute an arrest warrant issued by a local court against controversial TV and Bollywood actress Rakhi Sawant.

The court issued the arrest warrant after Sawant failed to appear before it on March 9 in a case filed against her for making derogatory remarks against sage Valmiki, the author of the Ramayana which chronicles the life and times of Hindu god Lord Rama.

Reportedly, a warrant was issued against her on the basis of a complaint filed against her for allegedly hurting religious sentiments of the Valmiki community with her comments. The complainants accused Sawant of hurting religious sentiments of the Valmiki community with her remarks on a TV show.

Here is the video in which Rakhi is seen apologising:

While speaking about the controversy created in the name of Valmiki, the 38-year-old actress said that she used the example of Valmiki's change of soul to explain the change in her friend and singer Mika Singh, when he was accused in an assault case. "I just gave an example from what I have read in my childhood. Just like Valmiki, who got changed from being a robber to a saint, Mika ji also has changed. It was just an example," she said.

When she was asked about the warrant, Rakhi defied it by saying, "I did not receive any notice or summon in regard to the warrant. I too got to know from the media this morning that police is coming to arrest me, because allegedly I told something wrong against sage Valmiki. I respect him and Valmiki community a lot. I don't know why I am being targeted," she said.

Adding, "When I got the news, I initially thought it was an April Fool prank. I don't know why I am being targeted. May be because I belong to the film industry, I am an easy target."

The case will be next heard on April 10.

(With agency inputs)