No coercive steps against Raveena Tandon, Farah Khan, Bharti Singh: HC

Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday directed State of Punjab t to take "coercive steps" against Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon, filmmaker Farah Khan and comedian Bharti Singh on ir plea, seeking quashing of FIRs against m for allegedly hurting religious sentiments during a TV show.            

Justice Sudip Ahluwalia issued a tice to Punjab government in this matter and fixed March 25 as next date of hearing. two Bollywood celebrities, along with comedian, were booked by Rupnagar and Ferozepur police for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through ir remarks during a TV show. 

complaints in this regard were filed by Charan Masih, a resident of Rupnagar, and Vijay Goriyan, a resident of Ferozepur. Arguing case for celebrities, ir counsels Abhinav Sood and Rohit Sharma sought quashing of FIRs, saying se were "illegal and b in law".            

Sood said offence was me out against m under IPC Section 295-A and said that allegations against petitioners were "unjustified, false and incorrect". In ir petition, celebrities h sought quashing of FIRs and a stay on Punjab Police investigation. Soon after a controversy erupted in December, petitioners h apologised.