Javed Akhtar Defamation: MM Court Issues Summons To Kangana Ranaut Following Police Report

Metropolitan magistrate RR Khan issued process under section 204 of the Criminal Procedure Code and adjourned the case to March 1, 2021. This may mark the beginning of a trial against Ranaut.

"Process is issued against accused for the offence u/s 499 and 500 (defamation) of the Indian Penal Code on payment of process fee. Issue summons to the accused." The order read.

Akhtar had filed a private complaint through advocate Niranjan Mundargi against Ranaut under sections 499 and 500 (defamation) of the Indian Penal Code on December 3, 2020, alleging that she had made defamatory remarks against him to Republic TV in the aftermath of actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death.

After recording the Akhtar's statement, court directed the Juhu Police to conduct an enquiry under section 202 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The inquiry report was submitted last week.

The lyricist was accompanied by lawyer Jai Bharadwaj, on Monday. Bharadwaj told the court that the 18-page report, submitted by the Juhu police, supported their contention that Ranaut had defamed Akhtar.

In his original complaint filed through advocate Niranjan Mundargi, Akhtar accused Ranaut of damaging his "immaculate reputation by falsely attributing statements to him," in her interview to Republic TV anchor Arnab Goswami, on July 19.

Akhtar says he is a self-made-man, who reached Mumbai on October 4, 1964, with Rs 27, two pairs of clothes and a few books. He was 19 then.

"The complainant is one of the most senior artistes in the film industry with his successful career spanning over a period of more than 55 years, which in itself is a rare achievement. Apart from this, he was also nominated as a member of Rajya Sabha during the period March 2010 to March 2016," the plea stated about Akhtar's reputation.

In an interview that last 57-minutes, Akhtar claims that Ranaut is seen giving her opinions on the circumstances surrounding Rajput's death without any direct personal knowledge. His plea stated that the defamatory statement were made against him during this interview.

"…needlessly dragging the complainant's name into an unconnected, sensitive matter is tantamount to extending veiled threats to the complainant, who is an extremely respectable member of the film fraternity," the plea said.

Akhtar had also cited three witnesses to demonstrate how Ranaut maligned his dignity in the eyes of right-thinking members of society, members of the film fraternity, and friends and acquaintances.