Salman refuses to apologize for ‘rape’ remark, says MSCW has no jurisdiction

On Thursday, actor Salman Khan failed to appear before the Maharashtra State Commission for Women (MSCW) for the third time, but sent a letter to the panel in response to their summons over his ‘rape’ remark.

The MSCW, which had asked Salman to appear before it on Thursday, told ANI that they are consulting their legal department regarding the actor’s letter.

“We have received the letter. We are studying it now. We have sent it to our legal department and will decide the future course of action,” MSCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar told reporters. She, however, did not reveal the content of the letter or say if the MSCW was planning on taking any action regarding the controversy.

While the content of the letter is not known, it seems Khan has not issued any apology for the remark. His lawyer, in a statement to News18 said, “We have cited references and informed the commission that the women’s commission does not have the jurisdiction to take matter of this kind. We have not sought apology.”

Khan had landed in controversy over his statement that he felt like a ‘raped’ woman after shooting for Salman. The actor played the role of a wrestler in the film.

The 50-year-old actor was asked to come for hearing on two previous occasions, but he did not turn up. Subsequently, he was asked appear before the commission today.

Earlier, when the commission sent the first summon to the actor, Salman had sent a letter to the panel through his lawyer stating that the case was already being heard by the National Commission for Women (NCW) and the matter cannot be heard simultaneously at two places.

Later, Salman had on July 8 defied the National Commission for Women’s summons and did not appear before it to clarify his controversial remark, a day after he missed a date with the Maharashtra women’s panel.

The Maharashtra state commission had then asked the actor to appear before it on Thursday.

With agency inputs