Barely a month after his business partner, Ayesha Shroff, alleged that he was gay to refute his claims that they were having an affair, actor Sahil Khan has requested a special court to hold an in-camera trial to show intimate pictures of him and her to the judge and prove his claim.

Ayesha, who is married to actor Jackie Shroff, had filed a case against Khan in November alleging that he had cheated her to the tune of Rs 5 crore. Khan had contested the claim saying that she had spent the money on him as they were having an affair and Ayesha had retaliated saying Khan was gay. On November 18, she had also filed a case of defamation, molestation and criminal intimidation against him.

Last month, Khan's advocate had requested the special ABA court at the Sessions Court for an in-camera trial of his anticipatory bail application (ABA). Speaking to mid-day, Sahil Khan, said, "Yes, my lawyer has requested the court to hold an in-camera trial to reveal the truth because there are some intimate pictures of me and Ayesha which we have to show to the court. Ayesha has said so many things about me - that I am gay and that we did not have physical relations - and she has left me no choice but to take all these things to the public."

Khan's counsel, Nitin Desai, said, "We have requested the court for in-camera trial so we can show the intimate pictures of Ayesha and Sahil. Ayesha has always said that she has invested money in the business, but the truth is that she spent the money so that Sahil spends quality time and moments with her. We have also asked for the in-camera trial so that the photos do not become public and harm their reputations."

"The case was adjourned to January 16 yesterday and we will argue for the bail and the in-camera trial during the next hearing," he added.

The other side
When mid-day contacted Ayesha, she said, "He is trying to sidetrack the fact that he has cheated me and owes me money. There cannot be any personal pictures for the simple reason that there was never a personal relationship. I think his ex-wife was the best person to clarify that. I suggest you write a story on the truth as opposed to cooperating with his vile and disgusting lies."

Ayesha's advocate Rizwan Siddique said, "Had there been any substance in the claims of Mr Sahil Khan, he would have already submitted it to the court. It is a matter of record that despite two FIRs, he has not submitted anything till date and therefore this act proves a lot. With regard to in-camera court proceedings, my client had, through Advocate Anjali Patil, already submitted to the court that there is nothing to hide in the matter, therefore whatever is required to be produced should be produced in open court."