Shah Rukh Khan was at the centre of a controversy, courtesy a petition filed by two Mumbai residents Simpreet Singh and Amit Maruan (both claiming to be social activists). They had alleged that the actor had violated various environmental, coastal regulations zone and archaeological laws in erecting a building behind his bungalow.
But the Supreme Court dismissed the same, stating that SRK was being targeted merely because of his celebrity status. A bench comprising of Justice DK Jain and AR Dave felt that had the petitioners brought to its notice similar purported violations by others in the area, they could have examined the issue, but as the petition was 'solely' aimed against SRK, there was no reason for the court to interfere.
The Bombay High Court had not just dismissed the PIL filed by the duo, but also imposed a fine of Rs. 20,000 on them, and termed it as a 'publicity petition'.
Meanwhile, Mukul Rohtagi Senior Counsel and others, who had appeared for SRK, contended that there was no violation of rules and the construction was allowed by the municipal body and the High Court had rightly dismissed the PIL.