Bathinda, Jan 7: A Bathinda court has asked BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut to appear in person on January 15 in a defamation case filed by an elderly farmer, rejecting her latest plea seeking exemption from attendance.
According to the order passed by the Special MP-MLA court and uploaded online on Tuesday, the grounds cited by Kangana were not found adequate. “Sufficient reasons have not been made out for exemption from personal appearance,” the court observed.
Kangana was absent during Monday’s hearing, informing the court through her counsel that she had “official and pre-scheduled commitments in Mumbai.”
The complainant’s counsel opposed the exemption request, alleging that the accused was deliberately staying away from the court. He also pressed for the issuance of non-bailable warrants, arguing that repeated absences were delaying the proceedings.
The court, however, declined that request. “This court does not find it appropriate at this stage to cancel the bail of the accused or to issue non-bailable warrants,” the order said, adding that Kangana must ensure her presence on the next date.
The case was registered in January 2021 on a complaint by Mahinder Kaur of Bahadurgarh Jandian village in Bathinda, who accused Kangana of making defamatory remarks.
The court further stated that arguments on January 15 will include Kangana’s application under Section 205 of the CrPC for permanent exemption from appearance. She has also been directed to file a response to the complainant’s application seeking permission to summon and examine additional witnesses, following which arguments will be taken up.
