Although actor Kangana Ranaut finally appeared before the trial court in the defamatory case filed by songwriter Javed Akhtar, the case could not go ahead as the ‘Thalaivi’ actor sought an appeal for the transfer of the case.
Ranaut’s lawyer, Advocate Rizwan Siddiquee, submitted a statement by Ranaut stating that she had lost hope in court as the magistrate said on several occasions that he would issue a warrant against her. In addition, she has filed a counter-complaint against Akhtar and the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate will hear both of the pleas on 1st October, he said.
RR Khan, Metropolitan Magistrate was hearing Akhtar’s plea in which he has accused Ranaut of tarnishing his “immaculate reputation” by dragging his name on the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput in an interview with Anchor Arnab Goswami of Republic TV, on July 19, 2020.
“Why is she required in a compoundable, non-cognizable and bailable offence? But this court has repeatedly said that a warrant will be issued against her, so Kangana has lost all faith in this court and she’s not comfortable with the court,” Siddiquee said before she appeared.
Akhtar’s lawyer, Jay Bharadwaj said Ranaut had come up with strange reasons during every hearing. The court gave Rananut one last chance on September 14 after her lawyer said she was unwell and showed signs of Covid. The court said that it would issue a warrant for her arrest if she failed to appear at the next hearing to honour the summons issued on February 2021. The case is now adjourned to November 15.
