In a detailed order rejecting Kangana Ranaut’s plea for permanent exemption from attending the legal proceedings in a defamation case against her by Javed Akhtar, a magistrate’s court said that no doubt, she had professional assignments as she was a celebrity but she cannot forget that she was an accused in the case. The court added that till date, Kangana had not appeared with an intent to cooperate with it for the trial.
“The accused is dictating her own terms for the trial of this case in the manner she likes,” explained magistrate R.R. Khan, adding, “Admittedly, the accused cannot claim permanent exemption as of right.” The 15-page order said that a permanent exemption would be seriously prejudicial for Javed Akhtar and there would be no progress in the trial. “If at this juncture, the accused is allowed to remain absent permanently, her earlier conduct furnishes an assurance that she will never ever attend this court for framing of particulars and further trial,” the court added.
Javed Akhtar had filed a defamation complaint against Ranaut in November 2020 before the Andheri (Bombay) magistrate’s court, stating that the actress had damaged his immaculate reputation by falsely attributing statements to him during an interview with a news channel. Kangana had moved a plea in March 2021 seeking permanent exemption and said that she would remain present when essential.