The Andheri metropolitan magistrate court in Bombay on 1st March issued a bailable warrant against Kangana Ranaut for failing to appear before the court despite summons in the Javed Akhtar defamation case. The summons had been issued on February 1 for appearance on March 1. The actress will now have to appear before the court on March 26 which is the next date of hearing.
Javed Akhtar’s lawyer insisted on a non-bailable warrant but the court issued a bailable warrant yesterday. The court said, “Keeping in view the nature of litigation, it (issuing a non-bailable warrant) appears to be a harsh step.” The court issued a bailable warrant of Rs. 10,000 for “willful absence” “without any justified reasons, despite service of summons” against Kangana Ranaut.
Writer-lyricist-poet Javed Akhtar had filed a criminal defamation case against Kangana for an interview where she alleged that some senior Bollywood members including Javed Akhtar were part of a “gang” that worked against outsiders who tried to enter the industry. Kangana’s advocate had contended that he was going to challenge the entire proceedings of the magistrate court before a higher court. He submitted that the court therefore could not proceed further.
The magistrate, R.R. Khan, said, “I have given thoughtful consideration to the submissions advanced by both sides.” The magistrate went ahead and observed in his three-page order: “No doubt, the accused (Ranaut) has every right to challenge the order of this court before sessions court and high court. Now, the question arises whether the intent of the accused to challenge the order of the court before a higher forum will amount to an automatic stay on the proceeding. The answer is certainly negative.” The magistrate further stated, “In absence of any orders from higher courts, her (Ranaut) remaining absent despite receipt of summons shows her conduct. Furthermore, mere intending to challenge the proceeding could not absolve her liability as an accused from attending this court.” The court also observed that Kangana Ranaut had the option to file an exempt application. “However, she has not preferred to opt for the same,” said the court.