Muzzling the media, the Salman way

Much has been made of the 2001 hit and run case that involves the Being Human star. While most media houses have their own viewpoints on the case, discussions and reporting on it has never really been low-key. Of course you could assign Salman’s stature as a star to that. In process some of the reportage has tended to go overboard almost creating opinion among the audience.

Known to be a volatile star, Salman Khan has had his run ins with the media in the past when he has had problems with reportage on him. But at 49, things seem to be changing for the man as he has come up with a seemingly father calmer and throughout way of dealing with the media when it comes to his court case.

His lawyers, DSK Legal, today sent out a note to the media, warning to initiate legal proceedings agains anyone who crosses the set boundary.

Following is the mail received

—

Dear Sirs / Madam,

Re:       Sessions Case 240 of 2013 before the Honourable Court of Sessions of

Greater Bombay

We are concerned for our client, Mr. Salman Khan, under whose instructions we address you as under:

On behalf of Mr. Salman Khan, we filed an application today in the captioned matter (“Accident Case“) seeking appropriate directions to the media while reporting the Accident Case. Reliefs were sought in this application to restrain the media from taking any photographs in the Court or any video or audio recording of the proceedings in the Court or making direct relay / communication of Court proceedings through social media or otherwise and restraining media from making any comments, conclusions, opinions on merits or de-merits of the captioned matter, and to direct the media to (i) only report what transpires in the Hon’ble Court from a factual perspective and such reporting can be done at the end of the day (when the matter is over for the day) and (ii) not to give any opinion on the case by discussing the evidence, bringing in experts / lawyers on their TV channels to discuss this case and evidence etc. till the conclusion of the trial.

The Honourable Judge stated in open Court that the media should not telecast or broadcast any panel discussions or release or publish interviews of personalities or lawyers inviting their comments on the merits and / or demerits of the Accident Case and / or express their opinion in any manner whatsoever on the Accident Case. The reporting should be strictly factual.

A copy of the Order pronounced in open Court on March 27, 2015, is awaited. We hereby call upon you to abide by the above mentioned Order, failing which our client has instructed us to initiate appropriate proceedings against you.

​

Regards,

Anand Desai

Managing Partner

DSK Legal

Advocates & Solicitors

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