After accusing Bollywood celebs Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal of “flaunting their drugged state” in a video from a party at filmmaker Karan Johar’s house, Punjab MLA and National Spokesperson of the Akali Dal, Manjinder S Sirsa has demanded that the Mumbai police file an FIR against them.
In a letter addressed to the Police Commissioner of Mumbai, Sirsa has claimed that “a powder-like substance was visible in the video” and that “it was a drug party which indicated every likelihood that drugs have been bought, used and consumed in the said party”. He also mentioned that he had enclosed a CD containing the video for his reference.
His complaint sought to register an FIR against Karan Johar, Deepika Padukone, Malaika Arora, Arjun Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor, Varun Dhawan and Vicky Kaushal under the relevant sections of the Information Technology Act of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for “making the said offensive video viral” and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
The letter goes on to allude to Shahid Kapoor and his character from 2016 film Udta Punjab, which Sirsa claims was “intended to defame the youth of Punjab”. “The face also indicated how those who are part and parcel of defaming the state of Punjab or the youth themselves are involved in such activities promoting drugs and his consumption,” it read.
Sirsa also posted what he called an “open letter to Bollywood” from his Twitter handle saying that they were accountable for their actions off-screen.
On Sunday, 28 July, Karan Johar posted a short video from a party at his home with the caption “Saturday night vibes”.
Sirsa took to Twitter and alleged the actors in the video were drugged. Calling it “Udta Bollywood”, he wrote: “ #UDTABollywood - Fiction Vs Reality Watch how the high and mighty of Bollywood proudly flaunt their drugged state!! I raise my voice against #DrugAbuse by these stars. RT if you too feel disgusted @shahidkapoor @deepikapadukone @arjunk26 @Varun_dvn @karanjohar @vickykaushal09”
Many Twitter users slammed the MLA for his comments with some posting explanations to debunk his allegations. Politician Milind Deora also came to the celebs’ defence. He took to Twitter to clarify that his wife too was present at the party and he can confirm that nobody there was under the influence of drugs.
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