More than ten years after a widely publicized altercation at Mumbai’s Taj Hotel captured media attention, actress Malaika Arora has been removed from her role as a prosecution witness in the case concerning Saif Ali Khan. The trial court excluded her from the witness list on Wednesday, citing her inability to corroborate the prosecution’s account of the incident.

Additionally, the court revoked the bailable warrant that had been issued against her after she finally appeared before Chief Judicial Magistrate K S Zanwar at the Esplanade Court. In April, a Mumbai court reprimanded Malaika Arora for failing to respond to multiple summons related to the long-standing hotel brawl case.

The judge noted that Arora appeared to be intentionally avoiding court appearances and issued a serious warning, indicating that a non-bailable warrant could be the next course of action if she did not attend again. This was deemed her final chance to adhere to the legal proceedings.

In 2012, Saif Ali Khan and two others were taken into custody following a complaint lodged by NRI businessman Iqbal Mir Sharma. The alleged altercation occurred at a luxury hotel, where Saif was dining with Kareena Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor, Malaika Arora, Amrita Arora, and several friends. According to police reports, Sharma took issue with the loud discussions at Saif’s table, which allegedly led to the actor threatening him and subsequently punching him in the nose, causing a fracture.

The situation escalated when the complainant, NRI businessman Iqbal Mir Sharma, also accused Saif Ali Khan and his associates of assaulting his father-in-law, Raman Patel. However, Saif has consistently asserted that it was Sharma who instigated the conflict by making derogatory comments and using foul language towards the women at their table.

The actor, along with his two companions, Shakeel Ladak and Bilal Amrohi, has been charged under Section 325 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to the voluntary infliction of serious injury. The next court hearing is set for August 22.