Kangana Ranaut Trying To Delay Defamation Case Proceedings; Javed Akhtar Tells Bombay High Court
Last week, Kangana Ranaut lodged a petition requesting a halt to Javed Akhtar's 2020 criminal defamation complaint against her
Lyricist Javed Akhtar asserted to the Bombay High Court that Kangana Ranaut's plea to delay defamation proceedings is merely a tactic. Queen actress had recently petitioned for a halt on Akhtar's 2020 criminal defamation complaint and requested a joint hearing with her counter-complaint against him. Akhtar's defamation case against Ranaut is progressing in an Andheri Magistrate Court, whereas Ranaut's complaint against Akhtar has been put on hold by the Sessions Court. ALSO READ: Kangana Ranaut-Javed Akhtar Defamation Case: Actress Seeks Stay On The Trail Against Her- Read REPORTS
Kangana mentioned in her petition that the origins of both cases stemmed from a 2016 meeting between herself and Akhtar, hence advocating for a joint trial. Contrarily, Akhtar, in a bid for dismissal, argued that Ranaut hadn't contested any rulings by the magistrate's court and is now, without substantial grounds, seeking to halt the proceedings. ALSO READ: Team Animal Slams Javed Akhtar For Criticising Ranbir Kapoor’s ‘Lick My Shoe’ Dialogue; Say, ‘Let Love Be Free From The Politics Of Gender’
The filed affidavit by advocate Jay Bhardwaj denounced it as an endeavour to prolong the proceedings regarding his defamation complaint. It emphasized that Ranaut's petition lacked a challenge to any specific judicial order from the lower court and primarily relied on assumptions, presumptions, and an unwarranted sense of optimism about the ongoing proceedings.
The veteran lyricist lodged a complaint accusing Kangana Ranaut of defamation, asserting that her statements during a July 2020 news channel interview linking him to actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death had tarnished his previously untarnished reputation. Back in July 2021, the Bollywood actress retaliated by filing a counter-complaint against Akhtar in front of a magistrate’s court, accusing him of criminal intimidation and disrespecting her dignity. She alleged that during a 2016 meeting at Akhtar's residence, he had intimidated her, insisting she apologize to a co-star, leading to the legal action.
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