Kangana pleads not guilty in defamation case

July 04, 2022 19:40

Actor Kangana Ranaut on Monday appeared before the court of the metropolitan magistrate in suburban Andheri and pleaded not guilty in connection with a defamation complaint filed against her by Bollywood lyricist Javed Akhtar, though proceedings were held behind closed doors on the actor's request.

This is her third appearance before the court after Akhtar filed the complaint against her in November 2020.

The court proceedings unfolded behind closed doors as the magistrate directed everyone, including lawyers and media, to leave as Ranaut, who arrived at 4:45pm, didn't want a "media trial".

Before the proceedings could begin, her lawyer requested the court to ask everyone to leave as his client didn't want a "media trial", though reporters present in the court attempted to speak to the magistrate RN Sheikh.

The proceedings began in the presence of the lawyers of both the sides behind closed doors, with one of them later stating that the actor pleaded not guilty, which means trial can now begin in the case.

Ranaut also recorded her verification statement in the cross complaint filed by her against the scriptwriter-lyricist.

For recording her statement in the counter complaint, the actor had secured an order for in-camera proceeding for a particular date in April. -- PTI

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