In a recent development, renowned actress Kangana Ranaut has filed a petition in the Bombay High Court, requesting a halt on the defamation trial initiated by esteemed lyricist Javed Akhtar. The hearing of the petition is expected to take place on January 9, presided over by a division bench comprising Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Manjusha Deshpande.
The defamation complaint was lodged by Akhtar, who took umbrage at certain comments made by Ranaut during an interview broadcasted on Republic TV. The contentious remarks pertained to a meeting that took place between the two in 2016. This meeting, which has now become the focal point of a legal battle, was seemingly innocuous at the time but has since escalated into a full-blown controversy.
In a counter-move, Ranaut lodged a cross-complaint against Akhtar, accusing him of criminal conspiracy, extortion, and violation of her privacy. This cross-complaint added another layer of complexity to the ongoing legal dispute. On July 24, 2023, the Andheri magistrate court dismissed the extortion charge against Akhtar but summoned him to court concerning offences under Sections 506 and 509 of the IPC.
Akhtar subsequently filed a revision against the summons order at the Sessions Court in Dindoshi. The sessions judge then put a hold on the order and the criminal proceedings stemming from Ranaut’s complaint until Akhtar’s revision application is fully heard. This move by the sessions judge has effectively put Ranaut’s complaint on hold, leading to the current situation.
Ranaut, through her advocate Jay Bharadwaj, has now approached the High Court seeking a stay on the trial arising from Akhtar’s complaint. Her plea argues that both her complaint and Akhtar’s complaint originate from the same incident and should therefore be tried concurrently to prevent contradictory judgments.
Her petition points out that while the proceedings from her complaint have been put on hold, those from Akhtar’s complaint are ongoing. She contends that this is unfair and contravenes the principles of natural justice. This argument highlights the intricacies of the legal system and raises questions about the fairness of the proceedings.
Ranaut’s plea, filed through Advocate Rizwan Siddiquee, emphasizes that it is her case that will reveal the truth of the dispute, not Akhtar’s. She argues that it would serve the cause of justice if Akhtar’s case is also stayed until the revision application is resolved. This plea underscores the importance of a fair and balanced trial and the need for all relevant facts to be considered before a judgment is made. It remains to be seen how the court will rule on this matter, and what implications it will have for the parties involved and the broader film industry. The case continues to attract significant media attention, reflecting the high-profile nature of the individuals involved and the serious allegations at stake.