Bathinda: A special MP-MLA court in Bathinda has instructed BJP Member of Parliament and actor Kangana Ranaut to appear in person on January 15 in connection with an ongoing defamation case, unless she secures a specific exemption order beforehand.
According to an order uploaded on the court’s official website, the court on Tuesday declined Ranaut’s request to be exempted from personal appearance. The plea was moved after she failed to attend the hearing earlier this week, citing official duties and prior professional commitments in Mumbai.
The case dates back to January 2021 and was initiated on the complaint of Mahinder Kaur, an elderly farmer from Bahadurgarh Jandian village in Bathinda district. The complainant has accused Ranaut of making defamatory remarks.
Ranaut’s repeated applications seeking exemption were strongly contested by the complainant’s counsel, who argued that the accused was intentionally staying away from court proceedings. The counsel also pressed for the issuance of non-bailable warrants, alleging a lack of cooperation.
While rejecting the exemption request, the court noted that Ranaut had failed to present sufficient reasons to justify her absence. However, it stopped short of taking stricter measures. “At this stage, the court does not deem it appropriate to cancel the bail of the accused or issue non-bailable warrants,” the order said, adding that Ranaut must ensure her presence on the next date of hearing.
The court further stated that the January 15 hearing will include arguments on Ranaut’s application under Section 205 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, through which she has sought permanent exemption from appearing in person. In addition, she will be required to submit her response to the complainant’s plea seeking the summoning and examination of additional witnesses, after which arguments on that application will also be heard.
Ranaut had last appeared before courts in Bathinda on October 27 last year, when she was granted bail by the Judicial Magistrate First Class.
