Mumbai Police Summons Kangana Ranaut in Case Filed by Javed Akhtar

In the defamation lawsuit filed by writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar, the Mumbai Police have now summoned Kangana Ranaut, as per a report by PTI. The court had asked Juhu Police to investigate the defamation lawsuit brought by Akhtar against Ranaut and confirm the case to the court.

What is the lawsuit about?

Akhtar brought a criminal case against Ranaut on 3 November 2020 for making defamatory remarks against him. Akhtar alleged that on television and social media, the Queen actor had disparaged him and made false accusations regarding his relation to the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. A case was filed under Sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code.

Ranaut has been asked to be available on Friday (January 22) before Juhu Police officers, who are conducting an investigation. 

What did the Court say?

The court asked Juhu Police to investigate the defamation case filed by Akhtar and send the report on 16 January, but the cops requested more time from the court at the most recent hearing. The Juhu police have now launched inquiries into the matter and have, thus, called Ranaut for investigation.

The next meeting is on February 1 at the Andheri Court, and the cops will submit a complaint by then, the sources said.

What do the actors have to say?

Akhtar alleged that Ranaut's interview with the media  "tarnished his image socially."

In the interview, Ranaut reported about her conversation with Akhtar at his residence, where a doctor was present as well. Akhtar and Kangana have different things to say about the accident. Both Akhtar and Ranaut are acquainted with the doctor. As per reports the police shall interview the doctor and connect his statements to the paper, according to the court.

During the court hearing on December 19, Akhtar's lawyer Niranjan Mundargi told Metropolitan Magistrate RR Khan that in a July interview with Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami, while talking about the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, Ranaut inappropriately dragged the name of the lyricist.

The solicitor continued that Akhtar was wrongly accused by Ranaut of being part of a "suicide gang" from Bollywood that could "get away with anything." He said that because of Ranaut's remarks, Akhtar had been receiving hateful messages.

The actress had attacked the Mumbai Police's handling of the Rajput death case and said she didn't feel safe and secure in the area. When she correlated Mumbai with Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, the matter worsened. Ranaut Y-Plus security cover was provided by the Centre in the middle of the shortcomings.

Ranaut is also facing a case of sedition for reportedly attempting to build hate and societal friction through social media. On October 17, a court in Mumbai asked the police to lodge an initial written complaint against Ranaut and her niece, her sister Rangoli Chandel, following a complaint by casting director Munnawarali Sayyed.