Andheri Court Allows Early Hearing Of Defamation Complaint File By Javed Akhtar Against Kangana Ranaut
The metropolitan magistrate allowed the early hearing of the case after Akhtar argued that it would be in the interest of justice due to his advancing age.
In a recent development in the ongoing defamation case between lyricist Javed Akhtar and Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut, a metropolitan magistrate in Andheri, Mumbai granted Akhtar's application seeking an early hearing of his complaint.
The complaint was filed by Akhtar against Ranaut in response to certain comments made by her during an interview on Republic TV in which she made remarks about a 2016 meeting between herself and Akhtar. In response, Ranaut filed a cross-complaint against Akhtar, alleging criminal conspiracy, extortion, and invasion of privacy.
During the hearing, Akhtar's counsel, Jay Bharadwaj, argued that the matter required an early hearing due to Akhtar's advancing age and that it would be in the interest of justice to advance the hearing date to the earliest.
The magistrate, RM Shaikh, accepted the plea and listed the complaint for hearing on March 23, 2023. It is pertinent to note that Judge Shaikh had previously heard the complaint on November 23, 2022, and had posted the matter for hearing on April 19, 2023.
In response to Akhtar's application, Ranaut's counsel, Rizwan Siddiquee, opposed the plea and referred to Ranaut's own application seeking the recording of the witness statement of her sister, Rangoli Chandel, before the trial commences.
Siddiquee submitted that if the application is allowed and the witness statement is recorded, it can take place on April 19, 2023, the previously scheduled hearing date. Despite this, the magistrate granted Akhtar's application and listed the complaint for an early hearing on March 23, 2023.