A special MP-MLA court here on Monday fixed January 15 for hearing arguments on BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut’s application seeking permanent exemption from personal appearance in a defamation case.
During the proceedings, Kangana’s counsel filed the application, citing official work as the reason for seeking exemption. However, Advocate Raghbir Singh Behniwal, counsel for elderly complainant Mahinder Kaur, opposed the plea, stating that no supporting documents had been annexed.
Behniwal also submitted a list of three prosecution witnesses and pointed out that the accused had sought exemption for the fourth time. He contended that previous exemptions had been granted due to the ongoing Parliament session, which had now concluded, and alleged deliberate non-appearance. Behniwal further moved a separate application urging the court to cancel Kangana’s bail bonds.
Taking note of the submissions, the court directed that arguments on the pending application for permanent exemption would be heard on the next date.
The case pertains to a 2020 tweet posted by Kangana during the farmers’ protest, in which she shared a photograph of elderly farmer Mahinder Kaur from Bahadurgarh Jandian village here, mistakenly identifying her as Shaheen Bagh protester Bilkis Bano and alleging that such women were “available for Rs 100” to participate in protests. The remark triggered widespread outrage, following which Mahinder Kaur filed a defamation complaint in January 2021. Five years have passed since then.
Mahinder Kaur’s husband Labh Singh was present in court today