Mumbai: Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut recently filed a petition before the Bombay High Court wanting a stay in the trial in relation to lyricist Javed Akhtar's defamation complaint.
Akhtar filed the defamation complaint against Ranaut in 2020. He alleged that Ranaut made defamatory statements on national and international television, in what appears to be a clear campaign to malign and tarnish (Akhtar) in the eyes of the general public. These statements were made by Kangana in an interview with Republic TV.
The remarks made by Ranaut was in relation to a 2016 meeting between the litigant duo.
Meanwhile, Ranaut had also filed a cross-complaint against Akhtar raising allegations of criminal conspiracy, extortion and outraging modesty by invading her privacy.
On July 24, 2023, a magistrate court at Andheri dropped the charge of extortion against Akhtar but summoned him to appear before the court in connection with the offences under Sections 506 and 509 of the IPC.
Akhtar filed a revision plea challenging the summons order before the Sessions Court at Dindoshi.
The sessions judge stayed the order and the criminal proceedings arising from Ranaut's complaint till the revision application of Akhtar is finally heard.
Ranaut has approached the High Court seeking a stay on trial arising from Akhtar's complaint.
It is Kanganas case that both, her complaint and Akhtar's complaint stem from the same incident and therefore, should be tried together to avoid conflicting judgments.
She argued that while the proceedings in connection with her complaint have been stayed, the same arising from Akhtars complaint is continuing. So, staying the matter till the revision application is disposed of by sessions court is in the interest of justice.
The High Court is likely to hear the matter on January 9 (tomorrow).
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