Javed Akhtar requests Bombay HC to dismiss Kangana Ranaut's plea seeking quashing of defamation proceedings
Akhtar said the magistrate had gone through his complaint and his statement made on oath.
By PTI |
BCCL
In December 2020, the court directed the Juhu police to conduct an inquiry into Javed Akhtar's complaint against Kangana Ranaut.
MUMBAI: Lyricist Javed Akhtar on Monday urged the Bombay High Court to dismiss a plea filed by actor Kangana Ranaut seeking quashing of the criminal defamation proceedings initiated against her by a metropolitan magistrate's court in the city, on a complaint filed by him.
In a counter-affidavit filed in the HC, Akhtar said, through his lawyers NK Bharadwaj and associates, that the metropolitan magistrate's court in suburban Andheri had followed a due process in launching the criminal defamation proceedings against Ranaut.
Akhtar's counter-affidavit was filed in response to a plea filed by Ranaut through her counsel Rizwan Siddiquee last month in which she challenged the defamation proceedings initiated earlier this year, saying the magistrate's court had failed to apply its mind to the case.
Ranaut had said the magistrate's court did not independently examine the complainant or the witnesses named in the complaint against her. It had instead relied merely upon the Juhu police's discretion and initiated the case against her.
The counter-affidavit stated the magistrate had been well within his powers to initiate the proceedings against the actor.
Akhtar said the magistrate had gone through his complaint and his statement made on oath, detailing his grievances against Ranaut.
ADVERTISEMENT
He further stated that while the Criminal Procedure Code provided for the magistrate to independently examine witnesses, it did not make the same mandatory.
Kangana Managed By Sister Rangoli; Other Celebs Who Too Mixed Family & Showbiz
1/4
Actress Kangana Ranaut is used to making news, be it for winning a National Award, creating waves at the box office, or even for her personal life. The actress is known to not mince her words, even if it means things not always working in her favour. While Ranaut doesn’t shy away from commenting on issues she feels strongly about, recently the ‘Manikarnika’ actress has been receiving flak from a section of the media.
However, it’s not just Ranaut’s statements that have come under scrutiny, but also that of her sister and manager, Rangoli Chandel. Chandel’s tweets often slamming anyone and everyone in Bollywood, have received criticism. Several fans have even taken to the microblogging site to say that Rangoli, whose Twitter bio reads 'Manager & Sister to #KanganaRanaut' may be harming the 'Queen' star's image and overshadowing her work. some have even requested the actress to hire a professional publicist.
But Kangana isn't the first celebrity to be managed by a family member. Several others have also taken the family route when it comes to professional matters.
(Image: Instagram/rangoli_r_chandel)
Actress Kangana Ranaut is used to making news, be it for winning a National Award, creating waves at the box office, or even for her personal life. The actress is known to not mince her words, even i..
Read More
Priyanka Chopra-Jonas, whose 15-year-old court battle with former manager Prakash Jaju recently came to an end, is managed by venture capitalist Anjula Acharia who herself shuttles between Silicon Valley and Hollywood. The 37-year-old's music portfolio, largely international, was earlier managed by Troy Carter whose clients also include Lady Gaga and John Legend.
However, despite having a professional team at work, the 'Quantico' star has often said that her mother Madhu, with whom she co-owns the production house Purple Pebble Pictures, is her CFO and handles all the finances and legal work.
(Image: Instagram/priyankachopra)
Priyanka Chopra-Jonas, whose 15-year-old court battle with former manager Prakash Jaju recently came to an end, is managed by venture capitalist Anjula Acharia who herself shuttles between Silicon Va..
Read More
Queen Bey and her father-manager Mathew Knowles's fallout was the stuff of headlines. While the 67-year-old now claims that he shares a good relationship with both his daughters, Beyoncé and Solange, after having learnt to switch from manager to father, it wasn't always the case. Mathew not only managed 'Destiny's Child' but reportedly also trained three members to sing.
Mathew was around right from the beginning of Beyoncé's career, until over a decade later when on March 28 in 2011 the 'Sorry' singer announced that the duo were going their separate ways, and the decision was mutual.
Since the split, the singer has been managed by her own company, Parkwood Entertainment.
(Image: Instagram/mrmathewknowles)
Queen Bey and her father-manager Mathew Knowles's fallout was the stuff of headlines. While the 67-year-old now claims that he shares a good relationship with both his daughters, Beyoncé and Solange,..
Read More
Kristen Mary Jenner, commonly known as Kris Jenner (2nd left), is the name behind the ever-growing Kardashian brand. The original 'momager', Kris pitched the idea of 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians' to Ryan Seacrest Productions in 2007.
The twice-divorced mum of six manages her entire clan - Kim, Kourtney, Khloe, Rob, Kendall and Kylie. This year, she even trademarked 'momager' - the term she helped make famous.
(Image: Instagram/krisjenner)
Kristen Mary Jenner, commonly known as Kris Jenner (2nd left), is the name behind the ever-growing Kardashian brand. The original 'momager', Kris pitched the idea of 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians'..
"The MM (metropolitan magistrate) followed due process of law before proceeding to initiate the summoning order against the applicant (Ranaut). That it was only after considering the footage of the interview dated July 19, 2020, and detailed verification of the statement made by the respondent (Akhtar) and the statement of witnesses that the MM proceeded to issue process against the applicant (Ranaut)," reads Akhtar's affidavit.
Akhtar filed a criminal complaint against Ranaut in November last year before the Andheri metropolitan magistrate alleging that she made defamatory and baseless comments against him in a television interview given to journalist Arnab Goswami.
In December 2020, the court directed the Juhu police to conduct an inquiry into Akhtar's complaint against Ranaut. The police subsequently informed the court that an offence of defamation, as alleged by Akhtar against the actor, was prima facie made out, and further probe is required.
ADVERTISEMENT
The court then initiated criminal proceedings against Ranaut and issued summons to her in February this year.
As per section 202 of the CrPC, a magistrate, on receipt of a complaint of an offence of which he or she is authorised to take cognisance of, can inquire, or direct the police to see if an actual case is made out, before issuing summons to an accused person.
ADVERTISEMENT
In his counter-affidavit, Akhtar also said that Ranaut never cooperated with the police's probe. He stated the actor refused to respond to the summons in the case and that she continued to make defamatory statements against him on social media even after the proceedings were initiated in the case.
The high court is likely to hear Ranaut's plea on August 18.
The Andheri metropolitan magistrate's court on July 27 allowed as the "last chance" Ranaut's plea seeking exemption from personal appearance in the defamation case filed by Akhtar and directed her to remain present on the next date of hearing on September 1 without fail.
Metropolitan magistrate, Andheri, RR Khan, had also rejected the plea of Akhtar, filed through his lawyer, seeking issuance of an arrest warrant against the actor but said the complainant can move the plea again if Ranaut fails to appear at the next hearing.
Every Time Kangana Ranaut Courted Controversy … On Twitter
1/6
Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut, who bagged her fourth National Award win on Monday for Best Actress for 'Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi', and 'Panga', turns 34 today. With Monday’s wins, her National Awards haul goes up to five - including 2 Best Actress laurels for ‘Tanu Weds Manu’ and ‘Queen’, and a supporting one for ‘Fashion’.
Apart from her unique roles on the silver screen, the Padma Shri winner is also known to speak her mind, and has often found herself stoking controversy, on social media and away from it as well.
In 2020, when the whole world was fighting a war against the Covid-19 pandemic, Ranaut was fighting her own on social media. First, it was with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) crew after they tore down her office in Mumbai, followed by a bout with angry Twitterati when the actress tried to include herself in the Sushant Singh Rajput's death narrative, accusing the film industry of nepotism and treating outsiders with disdain.
The 'Gangster' actress again made news when she faced the wrath of the microblogging platform which deleted several tweets. But even that could not faze Kangana Ranaut.
We do a recap of five such controversial tweets that made headlines.
Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut, who bagged her fourth National Award win on Monday for Best Actress for 'Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi', and 'Panga', turns 34 today. With Monday’s wins, her Nati..
Read More
When Ranaut ranted against the ways of Bollywood, she didn't expect an army of angry critics slamming her for seeking "attention". She was pretty upset when women didn't come out in support of her, especially after the actress claimed to be a "feminist". As a result, the 'Fashion' star started a whole new battle, this time, with the feminists or "suicidal snowflake feminist', as she called them.
Anyone who hit out at Ranaut with a different view than hers, was termed so by the actress on Twitter, and was also met with some agonising remarks.
"Love how all depressed and suicidal snowflake feminists are doing tauba tauba about premarital sex, some of them are scandalised that a Padma Shri awardee indulges in sex what is with this Victorian/Islamic approach to a woman’s sexuality, snow flakes are melting on my TL," Ranaut had tweeted. "One more suicidal snowflake calling me names for no reason. Blocking you, you don’t deserve my light. Rest in peace," she added.
When Ranaut ranted against the ways of Bollywood, she didn't expect an army of angry critics slamming her for seeking "attention". She was pretty upset when women didn't come out in support of her, e..
Read More
The news about actor Sushant Singh Rajput's passing in June 2020, came as a shock for many. It led to a serious discussion on social media as people tried to “solve the mystery”. Ranaut, like many, was also talking (tweeting) about it, with her own insights and theories.
The actress accused Bollywood and drug lords of tinseltown for the actor's death. She also specifically dropped a few names in a series of tweets on the matter. In August 2020, the 'Manikarnika' star offered to help the Narcotics Bureau with the case. "It is quite evident Sushanth knew some dirty secrets that’s why he has been killed," the actress had claimed, kickstarting a serious thread of accusations on Twitter.
Ranaut's tweet: "I am more than willing to help @narcoticsbureau but I need protection from the centre government, I have not only risked my career but also my life, it is quiet evident Sushanth knew some dirty secrets that’s why he has been killed."
The news about actor Sushant Singh Rajput's passing in June 2020, came as a shock for many. It led to a serious discussion on social media as people tried to “solve the mystery”. Ranaut, like many, w..
Read More
When the farmers in India took to the streets, the entire country was talking about it - some in support, some against it. Ranaut was one of them. The actress and now film-maker, Ranaut found herself in the midst of a row, yet again, over her comments on the protest. But things took a heated turn after global sensation Rihanna dropped a query on the ongoing protests in India, starting a whole different conversation, which did not go down well with the 'Queen' star, who launched an attack against the 'Umbrella' singer on the micro blogging site.
Ranaut, who made headlines for calling protesting farmers' "terrorists", slammed Rihanna for interfering in India's "internal matter".
"No one is talking about it because they are not farmers they are terrorists who are trying to divide India, so that China can take over our vulnerable broken nation and make it a Chinese colony much like USA... Sit down you fool, we are not selling our nation like you dummies," she had tweeted.
The actress later got into a spat with Punjabi actor and singer Diljit Dosanjh for dedicating a song to RiRi. Ranaut called Dosanjh a "Khalistani".
When the farmers in India took to the streets, the entire country was talking about it - some in support, some against it. Ranaut was one of them. The actress and now film-maker, Ranaut found herself..
Read More
When illustrator, Priyanka Paul, shared a tweet on mental health and depression, it caught the actress’s attention. She replied to Paul saying if she was "self-admittedly suicidal, toxic, creeping looking, then was there anything else that she was lacking in?"
Ranaut's tweet: "What is that tatoo on your arm? Some ogre ? Ha ha I love weirdos you are the kind of woman I want in my wild house parties, stop fighting with me... come on be nice ... sending you a hug, now reciprocate nicely..."
The spat between Ranaut and the 22-year-old artist went on for days on Twitter, with several people coming out in support of Paul and slamming the actress for being insensitive towards mental health.
When illustrator, Priyanka Paul, shared a tweet on mental health and depression, it caught the actress’s attention. She replied to Paul saying if she was "self-admittedly suicidal, toxic, creeping lo..
Read More
Ranaut locked horns with Indian Police Service officer D Roopa Moudgil over the latter’s comments on bursting firecrackers on Diwali, calling her a "shame in the name of police force" and demanding her suspension. The spat, which was originally between the officer and a Twitter handle - True Indology - over the connection behind firecrackers and Diwali, saw the actress providing her inputs.
"Side effects of reservations, when unworthy and undeserving, get the power they don’t heal they only hurt,” Ranaut tweeted.
"Living off on tax money, these cops are answerable for arm twisting commoners, it’s a valid question rather than taking people’s complaints and assisting them, why is @D_Roopa_IPS indulging in time pass trolling that too in working hours threatening and intimidating youngsters," Ranaut wrote on Twitter.
She added, "Side effects of reservations, when unworthy and undeserving gets the power they don’t heal they only hurt, I don’t know anything about her personal life but I guarantee that her frustration is stemming out of her incompetence #BringBackTrueIndology."
Ranaut locked horns with Indian Police Service officer D Roopa Moudgil over the latter’s comments on bursting firecrackers on Diwali, calling her a "shame in the name of police force" and demanding h..
FIR against SP MLA over 'objectionable' post targeting BJP MP Kangana Ranaut2026-06-18T10:22:52Z
