Bathinda, Jan 7: The Special MP-MLA court in Bathinda has directed BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut to appear in person on January 15 in a defamation case filed by an elderly farmer, after rejecting her request for exemption from personal appearance.
In its order uploaded on the court’s website on Tuesday, the court said Kangana had failed to show sufficient grounds to be excused from attending the proceedings. “The accused is directed, through counsel, to ensure her personal appearance before this court on the next date of hearing,” the order stated.
Kangana, the sitting MP from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, did not appear before the court on Monday, citing “official and pre-scheduled commitments in Mumbai.” This was not the first time she had sought exemption.
The plea was strongly opposed by the complainant’s counsel, who alleged that the accused was intentionally avoiding court proceedings. The counsel also urged the court to cancel her bail and issue non-bailable warrants.
Responding to the request, the court observed, “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 defamation case dates back to January 2021 and was filed by Mahinder Kaur, a resident of Bahadurgarh Jandian village in Bathinda district.
The court clarified that on January 15, it will hear arguments on Kangana’s application under Section 205 of the CrPC, seeking permanent exemption from personal appearance. She will also be required to submit a reply to the complainant’s plea for summoning and examining additional witnesses, after which arguments on that application will be heard.
