Actor Aamir Khan has denied his role in allegedly forming a cartel to corner multiplexes over release of films and argued before the Bombay High Court that the show cause notice issued to him by Competition Commission of India (CCI) was a form of harassment to him.

The issue pertains to the strike last year by film producers who decided not to screen movies in multiplexes over payment matters. The multiplex owners had approached CCI which issued a show cause notice to Khan in December last year based on its enquiry report which said he had joined Bollywood producers in a cartel to influence multiplexes over release of films. Khan filed a petition in the Bombay High Court challenging the show cause notice on the ground that CCI had no jurisdiction over the issue.

When the petition was heard yesterday, Khan’s counsel said the actor or his production house, Aamir Khan Productions Private Ltd, had no role to play in forming the cartel and this was a form of harassment to the actor.

Khan’s Counsel Arshad Hidayutallah argued that at the time of strike none of the films produced by Khan were due for release. He submitted CCI had already made up its mind as its preliminary enquiry report said that there appeared to be substance in allegations against the actor’s production house.

Additional Solicitor General Darius Khambata argued that CCI had the jurisdiction to hear the case. Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice S C Dharmadhikari deferred the matter to August 2 for further hearing.