Court summons actor for smoking in public

IANS/Jaipur

A court in Jaipur yesterday summoned Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan to appear before it on May 26 in connection with a complaint against him for publicly smoking at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium during an Indian Premier League (IPL) match, a lawyer said.The star had allegedly smoked while watching the IPL match between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders on April 8. “Smoking publicly is banned in Rajasthan since 2000 under the Rajasthan Prevention of Smocking Act. However, Shah Rukh Khan was smoking publicly in front of thousands of spectators. The actor was seen smoking on the TV channel which was showing the match,” said lawyer Nem Singh Rathore who filed the complaint on behalf of Jaipur Cricket Academy director Anand Singh Rathore.“The court of the additional chief judicial metropolitan magistrate today issued summons to Shah Rukh Khan after taking cognizance of the complaint. The actor has been directed to appear before the court on May 26,” he said. The lawyer said that spectators were being allowed into the stadium only after frisking. “Police were confiscating any objectionable items including cigarettes while frisking. However, it seems Shah Rukh was allowed to carry the cigarette packet into the stadium which is negligence on part of police also,” the complainant said.Khan is the co-owner of the Kolkata side.