Court summons Javed Akhtar on Kangana Ranaut’s complaint of ‘criminal intimidation, insult’

Bollywood screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar has been summoned by a Magistrate court in Mumbai on actor Kangana Ranaut’s complaint under sections Sections 506 (criminal intimidation) and 509 (insult to the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code.

Akhtar has been directed to appear before the court in Andheri on August 5.

Javed Akhtar, Kangana Ranaut in litigation back-and-forth

Ranaut had filed the complaint against Akhtar after the latter had slapped a defamation suit against the ‘Queen’ actress following an interview on a news channel in 2020. In that interview, Ranaut claimed that Akhtar had invited the actress to his home and pressurised her to apologise to actor Hrithik Roshan.

At that point in time, Roshan and Ranaut were involved in a public dispute and legal battle over accusations of ‘love affairs’ and ‘hacking emails’, among other things.

Based on Akhtar’s defamation complaint, two witnesses were called to the 10th Magistrate’s court for their deposition.

Javed Akhtar asked Kangana to apologise: Former doctor in court

Dr Ramesh Agarwal, who is a physician for Akhtar, Ranaut, and the Roshans, was the first witness summoned to the court. He told the court that Akhtar had approached him about the issue between Kangana and Hrithik, and reportedly suggested that a settlement should be achieved between the actors.

Dr Agarwal was reportedly present in the meeting between Ranaut and Akhtar at the latter’s residence in 2016, which was also attended by Kangana’s sister Rangoli Chandel.

As reported by news outlet India Today, Advocate Jay Bharadwaj, appearing for Akhtar, asked Dr Ramesh Agarwal about the meeting where the alleged defamatory words were spoken. Dr Agarwal replied that he was not part of the conversation as he was a little away from them and was also on phone calls with some patients at that time.

The meeting between Chandel, Ranaut, and Akhtar lasted for about 20-30 minutes, and before leaving, Akhtar reportedly told Kangana, “Aapko maafi mangni padegi,” (You will have to apologise), as per the doctor. Advocate Bharadwaj interjected, asking for clarification if the lyricist said ‘padegi’ (have to) or ‘mangiye’ (should). To this, Dr Agarwal replied, “Aap maafi mangiye” (You should apologise).

Dr Agarwal also denied that there was “any exchange of harsh words”.

Upon cross-examination by Advocate Rizwan Siddiquee, representing Ranaut, Agarwal said that he was not aware of any request made by Ranaut for Akhtar to mediate the dispute between her and Roshan. The doctor said that he had initiated the mediation at the request of Akhtar, in good faith.

“Despite Akhtar’s close association with Hrithik Roshan and his family, the Roshans were not called to the mediation meeting,” Advocate Siddiquee questioned, to which Agarwal replied, “When I went there, they were not present. I don’t know if they were invited or not.”

When asked about the agenda of the meeting between Akhtar and Ranaut, Agarwal replied, “The agenda was that both [Ranaut and Roshan] would apologise to each other. But I did not know that Akhtar would not call the Roshans and only ask Kangana to apologise.”

According to Agarwal, “[After leaving Akhtar’s house] she [Ranaut] told me that initially both of us [she and Roshan] were to apologise, but now only I [Ranaut] am being asked to apologise. She told me this, and that is why she felt uncomfortable.”

The doctor also agreed with Advocate Siddiquee’s comment that “…the meeting did not happen as it was supposed to, and Kangana left the meeting without any resolution.”

Komal Nahata, a film trade analyst, was also summoned to the court for her deposition.