Kangana Ranaut receives WARNING from Mumbai Court before issuing non-bailable warrant in Javed Akhtar defamation case

On Tuesday, a Mumbai court granted actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut ‘one last chance’ before issuing a non-bailable warrant against her for skipping a mediation meeting intended to settle her ongoing defamation case with Bollywood lyricist Javed Akhtar.

Ranaut’s advocate, Rizwan Siddiquee, informed the Bandra court that the actor was attending Parliament, which prevented her from appearing at the meeting. However, advocate Jay K Bhardwaj, representing Akhtar, filed an application requesting the issuance of a non-bailable warrant to ensure Ranaut’s attendance. Bhardwaj highlighted that Ranaut had missed nearly 40 crucial court dates where her presence was required.

Kangana Ranaut receives last warning from HC in Javed Akhtar defamation case

The court directed Ranaut’s counsel to file a response to the application, with the defence opposing the issuance of the warrant. Despite the objection, the Magistrate decided to grant Ranaut ‘one last chance’ before proceeding with the warrant.

The legal dispute between Ranaut and Akhtar dates back to a meeting at Akhtar’s residence in March 2016, during which Ranaut and actor Hrithik Roshan were embroiled in a public feud following exchanged emails. Akhtar, who is reportedly close to the Roshans, allegedly took it upon himself to mediate between the two actors, asking Ranaut to apologise to Roshan. Ranaut did not initially respond to this request.

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However, in 2020, after the tragic death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, Ranaut described the 2016 meeting with Akhtar in a televised interview. Akhtar found her comments defamatory and filed a defamation complaint against her in response.

The dispute escalated when Ranaut filed a counter-complaint against Akhtar, alleging that he had attempted to coerce her into apologising under undue pressure. This counter-case against Akhtar has been stayed by the Dindoshi Sessions Court.

In December 2024, both Ranaut and Akhtar agreed to pursue mediation to resolve the matter. However, the mediation meeting had not yet taken place and was scheduled for Tuesday. While Akhtar attended the Magistrate’s court, Ranaut, occupied with her parliamentary duties, was unable to appear.

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