Gangster Abu Salem sends DEFAMATION notice to Sanju makers

MUMBAI: Convicted gangster Abu Salem has sent a legal notice alleging defamation to filmmakers Rajkumar Hirani, Vidhu Vinod Chopra and others involved in the recently released film, ‘Sanju’. The notice sent through advocate Prashant Pandey stated that the film depicted and stated erroneous information on Salem.

 Referring to a film scene, the notice stated that it was based on facts that were false. “The scene where Ranbir Kapoor (pictured as Sanjay Dutt) gives a confessional statement about possession of arms and ammunition during communal tension around our country in 1993, is defaming my client (Salem), as my client never supplied the arms and ammunition, as alleged to Sanjay Dutt, as pictured in the film,” the notice stated.

 The notice claimed that Salem was not involved in supplying arms and ammunition to Dutt, which can be justified by evidence of approvers in the blasts case. The notice claimed that Salem never met Dutt. It further stated that the film contents were “extremely insinuating, disparaging and defamatory attacking the reputation of Salem”. The notice stated that the scene should be eliminated within 15 day of receipt of the legal notice, failing which appropriate legal action would be taken. Salem’s lawyer also sought publication of an apology for the scene.

 Currently, Salem is in jail, serving a life sentence, after being convicted for his role in the 1993 Bombay blasts case.