CHANDIGARH, Jan 5 : Bollywood actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut did not appear before a Bathinda court on Tuesday in connection with a defamation case, prompting the court to schedule the next hearing for January 15.
According to counsel for the complainant, Baby Mahinder Kaur, Ranaut was required to be present in court. However, her legal representative appeared via video conferencing and submitted an application seeking exemption from personal appearance, along with an apology for her absence.
The complainant’s counsel, Raghbir Singh Bahniwal, strongly opposed the plea, arguing that Ranaut has repeatedly sought exemption from appearing in court. He told the court that on earlier occasions, the actor had cited official engagements, including parliamentary sessions, which were accepted by the court. However, he said no such compelling reason exists this time.
The complainant urged the court to reject the exemption request and issue directions for Ranaut to appear in person at the next hearing.
The court, after hearing arguments from both sides, deferred the matter and fixed January 15 as the next date of hearing.
The defamation case dates back to the period of nationwide farmers’ protests against the now-repealed agricultural laws. Baby Mahinder Kaur, a resident of Bahadurgarh Jandia village in Bathinda district, had filed the complaint alleging that Ranaut made derogatory remarks against her on social media.
According to the complaint, Ranaut had shared a post during the protests, suggesting that elderly women participating in demonstrations were being paid to do so. Mahinder Kaur alleged that the post damaged her reputation and dignity.
Ranaut had earlier approached the Supreme Court seeking to have the case quashed. However, the apex court declined to entertain her plea, allowing the proceedings in the Bathinda court to continue.
(UNI)
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