Sessions Court rejects Kangana Ranaut’s plea for ‘Suspension of proceedings’ in Javed Akhtar’s defamation case!

The Dindoshi sessions court on Monday dismissed the plea submitted by Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut for suspension of proceedings in the criminal defamation case filed against her by lyricist Javed Akhtar. 

In retrospect, the veteran lyricist had accused Kangana of damaging his "immaculate reputation by falsely attributing statements to him," in a previous interview with Republic TV anchor Arnab Goswami, on July 19, 2020, soon after actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s sad demise. 

Akhtar had filed for punishable offences under sections  499 and 500 (defamation) of the Indian Penal Code in the Metropolitan Magistrate Court, in Andheri, in November.

Challenging the Andheri Metropolitan Magistrate Court’s order, Kangana moved to the sessions court through her lawyer Rizwan Siddiquee as a bailable warrant was issued against her.

Ranaut through her counsel Siddiquee contended that mandatory compliance of the Criminal Procedure Code was not followed in the matter, as the four witnesses named by Akhtar in his complaint have not been examined on oath.

Opposing Kangana’s plea through Advocate Jay  Bharadwaj, Akhtar argued that the magistrate's order did not warrant interference as witnesses were to be examined only if they were present. 

He further maintained that by issuing summons, Kangana was given a fair chance to respond to the complaint. Earlier, Akhtar's counsel pointed out Kangana's response to a media report to show she received the summons, however, she still chose not to appear in court, reported LiveLaw.

Meanwhile, Metropolitan Magistrate Court had then issued a  bailable warrant against her.

The warrant was reportedly cancelled after Kangana approached the Court and undertook to furnished a cash bail of Rs. 20,000 and surety worth Rs. 15,000.