Bathinda, March 25: A Bathinda court has scheduled the next hearing for April 7 in the criminal defamation suit against Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut after a day of witness cross-examinations. The actress-politician attended the session virtually, as the special MP-MLA court continued its inquiry into allegations that she defamed a local farmer during the 2020 agrarian protests.
During the hearing, the court recorded the cross-examination of Jasvir Singh, a resident of the complainant’s village. However, the testimony of a second witness, Surjit Singh, was postponed to the next hearing. Counsel for the complainant affirmed that the legal challenge focuses on claims that Ranaut misidentified Mahinder Kaur and made unsubstantiated allegations regarding the motivations of women protesters.
Beyond the defamation charges, the court is currently reviewing a plea for the surrender of Ranaut’s passport. Defense lawyers asserted the need for further time to argue against the application, prompting the magistrate to defer the decision. The prosecution declared that the preservation of evidence and the regular appearance of the accused, even via digital means, remain central to the ongoing trial.
The dispute originated four years ago when a tweet by the actress sparked controversy in the region. Since the filing of the complaint in early 2021, the court has been systematically examining the statements of those involved. Law enforcement and judicial officials maintained that the proceedings are adhering to standard protocols for high-profile representatives.
