Mumbai court accepts Javed Akhtar’s application seeking early hearing in defamation case against Kangana Ranaut – Times of India

A magistrate court in Mumbai reportedly accepted Javed Akhtar’s application seeking an early hearing in the proceedings against Kangana Ranaut in a defamation case. The proceeding was scheduled to be heard on April 19, 2023. The case will now be heard on March 23 before the Andheri magistrate court.
Akhtar, through his lawyer, Jay Bharadwaj, had filed an application stating that the case was last heard on November 23, 2022, and was listed for hearing after five months. On February 13, Akhtar moved the plea seeking an earlier hearing date.

Akhtar stated in the plea that it was a summary case and he is a senior citizen and sought for the proceedings to commence soon in the interest of justice. The court then sought a response from the actress on the plea.

Advocate Rizwan Siddiquee, appearing for Ranaut, pointed out that there are two cases that have been clubbed together. Along with Akhtar’s complaint against Ranaut, the actor’s own complaint against the veteran lyricist is also to be heard.

Akhtar opposed the request stating that this was not the stage for witnesses to be summoned on her behalf. The lyricist had submitted that as per procedure, he would first get the opportunity to examine witnesses, a list of which has been submitted before the court.

Although Kangana prayed in her reply to Akhtar’s application that the veteran lyricist’s application be rejected, the court has allowed Akhtar’s application, though the details of the order have not been made available right now.

In his defamation case, Javed had claimed that Kangana had made derogatory statements against him in 2020 after the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.