Actor Salman Khan filed his response to the Maharashtra State Women's Commission on Wednesday, ANI reported. MSCW chief Vijaya Rahatkar said, "Salman Khan has filed his response to Maharashtra State Commission for Women notice issued yesterday. Maharashtra State Commission for Women is going through contents of Salman's reply and will soon decide it's next course of action."
Khan had failed to appear before the Commission twice after summons were issued. The commission had asked the actor to appear before it on Thursday.
However in his response to the commission, Khan did not apologise for the remark. pradesh18.com quoted the actor's counsel as saying, "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."
Reacting to Khan's response, NCW member Ranjana Kumari reportedly said, "Salman Khan is not understanding the damage he is doing to himself and the film fraternity. He has violated the dignity of women. If he apologises, the matter can be settled."
On June 22, the MSCW had issued a notice asking Salman to present before it on June 29. When he failed to appear before the Commission, the MSCW had issued summons on June 29 asking the actor to appear before it on July 7 (Eid).
Khan was being summoned to explain his position over the rape analogy he had used while talking about the gruelling shooting schedule of his film Sultan in which he plays a wrestler.
When the commission summoned the actor for the first time, Khan sent a letter to the panel through his lawyer stating that the case was already being heard by the NCW and the matter cannot be heard simultaneously at two places.
Salman had on July 8 defied the National Commission for Women's summons, failing to appear before it to clarify his controversial remark, a day after he missed a date with the Maharashtra women's panel.
NCW said it received a legal response from Salman's team and was evaluating the next step. "It may be noted that today, i.e. 08.07.2016, Mr Khan or his legal team has not appeared before the Commission. However, the Commission has received a response from his legal team, which is currently being examined by the Commission," NCW said in a statement.
NCW Chairperson Lalitha Kumaramangalam, however, refused to spell out on what possible action could be taken against the 50-year-old actor.
NCW had written to the actor to issue a public apology but later summoned him after it found his reply "unapologetic and unsatisfactory".
With agency inputs.
