Sonu Sood deposes as witness in MCOCA case of firing at film maker Karim Morani

Bollywood actor Sonu Sood appeared before a Mumbai court on Tuesday to depose as a witness in the ongoing trial of a 2014 case under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in relation to the firing on Bollywood film-maker Karim Morani..Morani was allegedly targeted by members of the Ravi Pujari gang over a dispute about overseas rights of the Bollywood film Happy New Year, which was produced by the Morani brothers.The accused were charged with possession of illegal firearms under Arms Act, attempt to murder, theft, criminal conspiracy, extortion under Indian Penal Code and transmission of information by using internet to form organised crime syndicate under the MCOCA. .Sood was examined by Special Public Prosecutor Pradeep Gharat on behalf of the Crime Branch, Mumbai Police.Post the examination-in-chief, he was cross-examined by advocate Devanand Manerkar who appeared for Pujari and advocate Nazneen Khatri for co-accused Obed Radiowala..Sood was asked if the Morani brothers informed him about the shootout, to which Sood responded that he got to know about the shooting through news channels..Sood informed the Court that he did not remember the exact statement which he had given about 9 years back, however when it was read out to him he accepted what he had stated to the Crime Branch..He denied the suggestion of the defence lawyers that the allegations were concocted to create a promotion for the film..Sood claimed to have received a message from one of the gang members, allegedly warning him not to go for a promotion event for Happy New Year.He stated that he was not aware of the seriousness of the message sent to him, so he did not approach any authorities for action but instead informed those associated with the film.