“Recently, Ranaut submitted a petition contending that both Akhtar’s complaint and her cross-complaint were linked to the same incident. She argued that they should be tried together to prevent conflicting judgments.”
“Lyricist Javed Akhtar has countered actor Kangana Ranaut’s petition in the Bombay High Court, asserting that Ranaut’s move to seek a stay on the proceedings in the defamation case is merely an attempt to delay the legal process. Ranaut, represented by advocate Rizwan Siddiquee, had recently approached the High Court, arguing that both her complaint and Akhtar’s complaint were related to the same incident and should be jointly tried to prevent conflicting judgments.”
“Akhtar has opposed the petition by submitting an affidavit prepared by advocate Jay Bharadwaj. He contends that Ranaut has no valid grounds to invoke the writ jurisdiction of the High Court in this case. Akhtar argues that Ranaut’s petition is a tactic to delay proceedings in front of the Andheri magistrate.
According to the affidavit, Ranaut’s petition lacks a basis, as she is not challenging any judicial order issued by a court. It emphasizes that the entire writ petition relies on assumptions, presumptions, and an unwarranted optimism regarding the ongoing proceedings in lower courts.
Akhtar also highlights that the prayer in Ranaut’s High Court petition is vague and untenable.”
“During today’s High Court session, a division bench comprising Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Manjusha Deshpande instructed the High Court registry to assess whether the matter should be addressed by a single bench or a division bench.
As a contextual background, Akhtar had lodged a defamation complaint against Ranaut in 2020, objecting to specific statements she made during an interview broadcast on Republic TV. The statements in question pertained to a 2016 encounter between Ranaut and Akhtar.”
“Simultaneously, Ranaut countered by filing a cross-complaint against Akhtar, accusing him of criminal conspiracy, extortion, and invading her privacy by outraging modesty.
On July 24, 2023, a magistrate court in Andheri dismissed the extortion charge against Akhtar but directed him to appear in court regarding offenses under Sections 506 (criminal intimidation) and 509 (insult to the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code.
In response, Akhtar submitted a revision plea contesting the summons order to the Sessions Court at Dindoshi.”
“The sessions judge issued a stay on the order and the subsequent criminal proceedings resulting from Ranaut’s complaint until the final hearing of Akhtar’s revision application.
Taking note of this turn of events, Ranaut appealed to the High Court, requesting a stay on the criminal proceedings stemming from Akhtar’s complaint as well.”