NEW DELHI – The Rajasthan High Court on Monday stayed an FIR againstBollywood actors Salman Khan and Shilpa Shetty Kundra, filed against themfor allegedly hurting the sentiments of Scheduled Castes.

The FIR had been filed in Churu district by 23-year-old Ashok Panwar wherehe had said that on December 22, 2017, he had heard Khan and Shetty openlyused derogatory words, which had hurt the sentiments of his Valmikicommunity.

Subsequently, an FIR was filed against Khan and Shetty in a Churu policestation under Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 153 A (Promoting enmitybetween different groups on grounds of religion, race, etc.) and sectionsof the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities)Act.

Appearing on behalf of Khan, senior advocate Mahesh Bora, assisted byNishant Bora, submitted that even if the allegations are accepted as true,the offences alleged are not made out against the petitioner.

Subsequently, the court stayed the FIR and issued a notice to Panwar, whowas represented by public prosecutor J P Bhardwaj.