The Special MP-MLA court in Bathinda has directed BJP’s Mandi MP and actor Kangana Ranaut to personally appear before it on January 15, unless exempted by a specific order, in connection with a defamation case filed against her by an elderly farmer.
As per an order uploaded on the court’s website on Tuesday, the court rejected Kangana’s application seeking exemption from personal appearance on Monday. The defamation case was registered in January 2021 on a complaint filed by Mahinder Kaur of Bahadurgarh Jandian village here.
Notably, Kangana did not appear before the court on Monday, citing “official and pre-scheduled commitments in Mumbai”. The repeated plea for exemption was opposed by the complainant’s counsel, who alleged that the accused was deliberately avoiding court proceedings and sought issuance of non-bailable warrants.
Dismissing the exemption plea, the court observed that sufficient grounds had not been made out. “However, at this stage, this court does not find it appropriate to cancel the bail of the accused or issue non-bailable warrants, as prayed for by the complainant. The accused is instead directed, through counsel, to ensure her personal appearance before this court on the next date of hearing,” the order stated.
The court further clarified that on January 15, arguments will be heard on Kangana’s application under Section 205 of the CrPC seeking permanent exemption from personal appearance. The accused will also be required to file a reply to the complainant’s application for summoning and examining additional witnesses, followed by arguments on the same.
Notably, Kangana had last appeared before multiple courts here on October 27 last year, when she was granted bail by the court of Judicial Magistrate First Class