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An Andheri Magistrate Court has rejected actor Kangana Ranaut’s application for permanent exemption from attending the defamation proceedings of lyricist Javed Akhar.

Magistrate RR Khan stated in his order passed on Tuesday that the court assured that she would be exempted in specific situations if needed, by consent of both sides.

Kangana had filed the plea in June, 2021 stating that she is one of the topmost actresses in Hindi film industry and has won several prestigious awards including National Awards and the Padma Shri. Therefore, she has to travel extensively and even abroad for her work commitments. She had also pointed out that production houses make huge investments for such bookings.

“Attending the dates of trial on a regular basis will require the accused to travel miles from different work locations causing the applicant undue hardships.” her plea had stated.

Lyricist Javed Akhar, who had initiated the defamation proceedings against her for making remarks against him in a TV interview, calling him part of a certain gang of Bollywood, had opposed her application through his advocate Jay Bharadwaj.

Kangana had said in her application she would remain present before the court when ‘essentially’ required.

Advocate Jay Bhardwaj appearing for Akhtar opposed the application stating that the Magistrate had so far granted 13 exemptions to Ranaut.

“The power to direct the personal presence of the accused was the sole discretion of the magistrate and can be done at any stage of the proceedings,” he had stated.

He further relied on several Supreme Court judgments that give discretion to the magistrate courts to compel the presence of the accused.

The court adjourned the matter for Kangana’s appearance before it on Apr 7.