2 days after surrender, actor Rajkummar Raoseeks exemption from court appearance

Two days after he had surrendered before a local court in connection with a case registered against him for hurting religious sentiments through his role in a film, Bollywood actor Rajkummar Rao did not appear on Wednesday and sought exemption from his appearance through his lawyer.

His lawyer Darshan Dyal said since Rao had to travel a long distance from Mumbai, he could not make it to the court today. Rao was booked in 2017 under Sections 295 A and 120-B and Section 67 of the IT Act. A Jalandhar resident had lodged a complaint against him in Police Station Division No. 5 for appearing in a ‘Lord Shiva’ get-up in one of the posters of Bollywood film ‘Behen Hogi Teri’ released eight years ago.

Rao had given a twist to Lord Shiva’s avatar by sitting on a bike. Film director Ajay K Pannalal and producer Tony D’Souza too had been arrested by the Jalandhar police on the grounds of hurting religious sentiments of the Hindus but got regular bail.

The actor’s lawyer Darshan Dyal said, “Rajkummar Rao and actress Shruti Hasan had initially got the anticipatory bail. The director and producer had got a regular bail. But as the trial started, the court had issued arrest warrants against him after he did not receive summons and appear in the case. Rao had submit his reply to the court in person on Monday, saying that the summons were being sent to his old address in Delhi, whereas he was putting up in Mumbai and hence was not aware.

Jalandhar