Kangana Ranaut pleads 'not guilty' in defamation complaint by Javed Akhtar

Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut on Monday pleaded “not guilty” before a Mumbai court in complaint filed by lyricist Javed Akhtar against her for making allegedly defamatory statements against him on television..The legal tussle between Akhtar and Ranaut has been going on since November 2020, after Akhtar took exception to certain remarks made against him on an interview aired on Republic TV triggering the complaint. The matter was listed before Metropolitan Magistrate RI Shaikh for recording of plea where the accused is given an opportunity to plead his/ her guilt.If the accused pleads guilty, then the Magistrate can award appropriate penalty based on the seriousness of the offence and antecedents of the accused.Since Ranaut pleaded not guilty, the Magistrate will proceed to frame charges against her, after which the trial in the case will commence. .Meanwhile, the Court was also dealing with Ranaut's cross-complaint against Akhtar raising allegations of criminal conspiracy, extortion and outraging modesty by invading her privacy.In an earlier hearing of April 1, Ranaut had been summoned to appear for recording her statement in order to verify her complaint and take cognisance of the same.Ranaut had then requested through her counsel advocate Rizwan Siddiquee that her statement be recorded either in chambers or privately without the presence of media or any third party.This request of Ranaut was granted by the court on April 1. Accordingly, before the case was called for hearing, the Court asked media persons to step out.On the specific request of Siddiquee, the Court asked Akhtar’s lawyer, Jay Bharadwaj, to step out of the Court just before Ranaut’s statement could be recorded.“The Court has not taken cognizance of her complaint, so technically, Akhtar isn’t supposed to remain present,” Bharadwaj told Bar and Bench.