Rape remark: PIL seeking ban on Salman's film 'Sultan' rejected by Gujarat High Court

The Gujarat High Court on Wednesday refused to entertain a PIL seeking suspension of the screening of Salman Khan-starrer film "Sultan" in the state, in view of his 'rape' remark.

A division bench of Chief Justice R Subhash Reddy and Justice V M Pancholi declined to entertain the petition which sought the court's order to suspend the screening of "Sultan" in Gujarat.

The court rejected the petition, stating that it did not find any merit in it.

The PIL filed by Aditya Raval, a social worker and member of little-known outfit Vishwa Hindustani Sangathan, objected to Khan's remark while talking about the gruelling shooting schedule of his film "Sultan" in which he plays a wrestler.

Raval alleged that Khan made the "irresponsible" statement "with an ulterior motive keeping in view his commercial success".

The petitioner also alleged that being a superstar with a huge fan following, Khan's statements are highly impactful and such a statement will "psychologically depress" rape victims who need "sympathy and cooperation of people".

Khan had recently landed himself in controversy for his statement that he felt like a "raped woman" after the gruelling shoot for "Sultan".

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 has now asked the actor to appear before it on Thursday.