Bollywood actor Govinda, who was asked by the Supreme Court to apologise to a fan for slapping him in 2008, today said he respects the courts order but will take a call only after he receives a copy of the judgement.
"I respect the decision of the Supreme Court which is of the highest order. I still haven't received the court's letter. So, I cannot comment on that. It's a technical issue and I will refrain from commenting until I get the letter. Once I get it I will let you know how I feel about it," the actor told reporters.
The Supreme Court had advised Govinda to apologise to the fan who had lodged a complaint accusing the actor of slapping and intimidating him while he was on a visit to the actors film sets on 16 January, 2008.
Also read: Govinda slapgate controversy: SC asks the actor to apologise to the person
"We enjoy your films, but cannot tolerate you slapping somebody," a bench headed by Justice T S Thakur had said, while suggesting the actor to settle the dispute with complainant Santosh Rai.
The 51-year-old actor, however, raised doubt behind Rai's intention, saying how can someone continue to fight the case for so many years without some backing.
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No fan can behave like this. This is for sure. Fans love the artists, they go out of the way to support them," he said.
The court has fixed 9 February as the next date of hearing on Rai's appeal. The high court, in 2013, had quashed Rai's private complaint lodged against Govinda before a metropolitan court in Mumbai.
Rai then appealed against the high courts decision in the apex court.
-- PTI