Delhi High Court Seeks Salman Khan’s Response in Film Dispute Over Jurisdiction

A legal dispute surrounding Kala Hiran: Battle for Legacy, a film reportedly inspired by Bollywood star Salman Khan’s high-profile blackbuck poaching case, has taken a new turn. The Delhi High Court has issued a notice seeking Khan’s response to a producer’s challenge over whether the court has the jurisdiction to hear the actor’s plea seeking to stop the film’s release and promotion.

On Friday, October 9, a bench led by Justice Tejas Karia issued the notice following an application filed by producer Amit Jani. The next hearing has been scheduled for December 16.

Jani has argued that the Delhi High Court lacks the territorial jurisdiction to hear Khan’s plea and should therefore dismiss the case.

According to the producer’s counsel, Khan resides in Mumbai, while Jani is based in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. Neither party resides or conducts business within the Delhi High Court’s territorial jurisdiction, the lawyer argued.

The producer’s side also contended that the film’s promotional materials, including its teaser and posters, being circulated in Delhi as well as other parts of India is not sufficient to establish the court’s jurisdiction.

Khan had previously approached the High Court seeking to prevent the film’s release and promotional activities. The actor alleged that the project draws on the widely publicised 1998 blackbuck poaching case and events from his personal life.

Khan claims that the film imitates aspects of his identity, including his name, mannerisms, speech patterns and elements associated with his iconic movies. He has raised concerns that such portrayals could infringe upon his personal rights.

The actor has also argued that he was acquitted in three of the four cases related to the blackbuck poaching allegations, while the remaining appeals are pending before the Rajasthan High Court and the Supreme Court. According to his plea, a dramatic depiction of the legal proceedings could potentially affect his right to a fair trial.

Khan has further objected to what he considers the film’s portrayal of him as a criminal in its promotional teaser.

The latest application has shifted the immediate focus of the dispute to a preliminary legal question: whether the Delhi High Court is the appropriate forum to hear the case. The December 16 hearing is expected to bring further clarity to the proceedings.