Kangana Ranaut pleaded “not guilty” before a Mumbai court in Javed Akhtar's Defamatory Case

Recently, Kangana Ranaut pleaded “not guilty” before a Mumbai court in Javed Akhtar's petitioner against her for making allegedly defamatory statements against him on television.

In 2020 Akhtar moved to court after certain remarks were made against him in an interview aired on Republic TV. The matter was listed before  RI Shaikh, Metropolitan Magistrate, where the accused was given an opportunity to plead her guilt. Since Ranaut did not plead guilty, the Magistrate will proceed to frame charges against her, after which the trial will commence.

In the meantime, the Court was also dealing with Ranaut's cross-complaint against Akhtar, which alleged criminal conspiracy, extortion, and invasion of privacy. On 1 April, Ranaut was summoned to appear for recording her statement to verify her complaint. Ranaut had then requested her statement be recorded either in chambers or privately without the presence of media or any third party.

The Court granted Ranaut's request and accordingly the media persons were asked to step out. Akhtar’s lawyer, Jay Bharadwaj, was also asked to leave the court before the statement.