If Kangana Ranaut does not remain present on next date, warrant will be issued: Mumbai Court in Javed Akhtar defamation case hearing

A Mumbai Magistrate Court on Tuesday granted Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut one last chance to appear before it in the defamation case instituted at the instance of lyricist Javed Akhtar, .The Court made it clear that a bailable warrant will be issued against the actor if she fails to appear for the next hearing. .Counsel appearing for Ranaut submitted that since Ranaut was not in the country, she could not remain present today and sought exemption from her personal appearance..Advocate Jay Bharadwaj appearing for Akhtar, opposed the application and sought issuance of bailable warrant since Ranaut had not appeared on any date..By way of last chance and due to the existing Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Andheri Metropolitan Magistrate RR Khan permitted her exemption for today..He, however, stated that in the event Ranaut fails to remain present on the next date, a bailable warrant will be issued against her..Akhtar had moved the Magistrate court against Ranaut claiming that her statements amounted to the offence of criminal defamation under Sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code.As per Akhtar's complaint, Ranaut had, during her interview with Republic TV Editor-in-Chief, Arnab Goswami, allegedly commented that Akhtar was part of a "Bollywood suicide gang" who could "get away with anything"..Ranaut had challenged the same before the Sessions Court at Dindoshi, Mumbai which was dismissed by the Court. .Ranaut has also filed an application for permanent exemption from appearance in the defamation proceedings.Her contention in the application filed by Siddiquee & Associates was that the various dates of trial on regular basis would require her to travel miles from different work locations to Mumbai thus causing hardship to her. .She also raised concerns that if due to this trial she is unable to meet her professional commitments, both she and the production houses will incur huge financial losses. .In his response opposing the application, Akhtar stated that as per Section 205 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, exemption could not be granted in a bailable offence..He further submitted that Ranaut had appeared before the Court when she had approached for bail after the Court had issued bailable warrant against her after she failed to appear post issuance of process..Akhtar pointed out that the proceedings were at a stage where it would not take place if Ranaut is not physically present.He submitted that Ranaut’s conduct was such that it indicated a casual approach as she had never remained present till date except for her bail.