The Andheri (Bombay) metropolitan magistrate court on September 14 granted Kangana Ranaut exemption from appearance in the defamation case filed against her by writer-lyricist-poet Javed Akhtar, but directed her to appear on the next date, failing which it would issue an arrest warrant. The court said, “…application for exemption of accused is allowed for today only as a last chance… for, accused is informed that on failure of accused to remain present on next date of hearing, the court will issue warrant against her.” The matter will now be heard on September 20.
The actress’ lawyer moved an exemption from appearance plea, citing her ill-health. He told the court that Kangana had COVID-like symptoms. Javed and wife Shabana Azmi were present in court along with their lawyer who sought issuance of a non-bailable warrant against Kangana, telling the court that she had so far not appeared even once. The lawyer said, the summons were issued eight months ago, and she was granted exemption even when she was shooting in Europe. The court kept the plea pending until the next date.
Javed Akhtar had filed a criminal defamation plea in November last year on the ground that in a television interview on July 19, 2020, Kangana Ranaut had given Arnab Goswami (of Republic TV and Republic Bharat) an interview, damaging his “immaculate reputation by falsely attributing statements to him”. The plea added that during the 57-minute interview, Kangana gave her opinions on circumstances around Sushant Singh Rajput’s death without appearing to have direct knowledge of it. In the same interview, she had referred to Akhtar as being part of a “suicide gang”.