Centre files caveat: Hear us out before move on Kher

The Centre has filed a caveat in the Bombay High Court seeking to present its side in the event of actor Anupam Kher challenging his removal as the Censor Board chief. The Centre has urged the court not to pass any order before hearing its argument. The move comes two days after Kher filed a complaint of defamation in a metropolitan court against CPI(M) General Secretary Harkishen Singh Surjeet for linking him to the RSS in an article written in the party mouthpiece.

‘‘The government has filed a caveat and also served a copy on Kher today,’’ Kher’s lawyer Majeed Memon said, adding the actor was now considering filing a petition in the High Court, challenging the manner in which he was removed from the post.

He will seek interpretation of the phrase ‘‘pleasure of the executive’’ in the matter of his removal, said Memon. He added the question was important for preserving the dignity and autonomy of meaningful public institutions.

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Kher has also written to Navin Chawla, I&B secretary, asking the exact date and time from when he ceased to be the Board chief.

Meanwhile, Kher has received a communication from the CPI(M) office saying they are in receipt of his legal notice to Surjeet and would inform the leader on his return from abroad.