Pyare Zia Khan, Chairman of Maharashtra State Commission for Minorities, has filed a Rs 50 crore defamation suit against five persons over allegations that he met gangster Abu Salem at Yerwada Central Jail in Pune. Senior Civil Judge A D Karadbhajne has issued notices to all five defendants. The suit relates to a protest organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal at Badkas Chowk in Mahal on September 28, 2024. During the protest, banners were displayed and slogans were raised accusing Khan of holding a suspicious meeting with Salem, a convict in the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts case. The protesters also accused him of supporting anti-national activities. Khan has claimed that these allegations were false and malicious. He has sought Rs 50 crore as compensation for damage to his reputation. The five defendants named in the suit are Amol Thakre of Bharat Mata Chowk, Golibar Chowk; Vilas Patil of Shyamdham Mandir, Nandanvan; Shubham Arkhel of Gaddigodam Chowk; Gajendra alias Tiku Vij of Guru Nanak Pura, Indora; and Lakhan Kuril of Timki, Mominpura. Khan has also sought a court order restraining the defendants from publishing or circulating defamatory content. He has requested removal of related reels, videos and posts from social media platforms, along with a public apology. Advocates Anand Deshpande, Gaurang Bhake and Chetan Dongre represented Khan in the matter.