Javed Akhtar demands non bailable warrant against Kangana. Javed Akhtar Seeks Non-Bailable Warrant Against Kangana Ranaut for Non-Appearance in Court.
Bollywood lyricist Javed Akhtar has filed an application seeking the issuance of a non-bailable warrant against actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut for her persistent non-appearance in court.
Ranaut was scheduled to appear before the court on Saturday, September 7th, but failed to do so. Akhtar's lawyer, Jay Bharadwaj, argued that Ranaut's repeated non-appearances, despite having previous applications for exemption rejected by the court, warrant the issuance of a non-bailable warrant.
Bharadwaj pointed out that Ranaut had previously sought permanent exemption from appearing in court, which was rejected by both the Sessions Court and the Bombay High Court. A bailable warrant was issued against her on March 1st, 2021, but she appeared before the court and had it cancelled.
Akhtar's lawyer argued that Ranaut's actions indicate a deliberate attempt to delay court proceedings and that a non-bailable warrant is necessary to ensure her presence in court.
However, the court kept the application in abeyance and directed Ranaut to appear. Her lawyers subsequently provided an undertaking that she would appear on the next hearing date, September 9th, 2024.
This case stems from a meeting at Akhtar's Mumbai residence in March 2016, during which Ranaut and actor Hrithik Roshan were involved in a public dispute over exchanged emails. Akhtar, who is close to the Roshans, met with Ranaut and reportedly asked her to apologize to Roshan.
In 2021, Ranaut claimed in a televised interview that Akhtar had filed a defamation complaint against her, alleging that the 2016 meeting was defamatory. She subsequently filed a counter-complaint against Akhtar, which was stayed by the Dindoshi Sessions Court.
In February 2024, the Bombay High Court dismissed Ranaut's petition seeking a halt to the trial initiated by Akhtar, rejecting her argument that the cross-complaints should be heard together.
Akhtar filed a defamation complaint against Ranaut in 2020, taking exception to remarks she made about the 2016 meeting during a television interview.
The ongoing case highlights the legal battle between the two prominent figures in the Indian entertainment industry. The court's decision on whether to issue a non-bailable warrant against Ranaut will be a significant development in this long-standing dispute.