In response to star Kangana Ranaut's complaint under Sections 506 (criminal intimidation) and 509 (insult to a woman's modesty), a Mumbai magistrate court has summoned Bollywood lyricist Javed Akhtar. On August 5, Akhtar must appear before the Andheri court.
Following an interview with her in 2021, Akhtar accused Ranaut of defamation and Ranaut responded by filing the complaint against him. Ranaut claimed in the interview that Akhtar had pushed her to apologize to actor Hrithik Roshan in 2016. At the time, there was a public argument between Roshan and Ranaut regarding certain emails they had sent.
A stage has been reached in Akhtar's complaint against Ranaut when witnesses are being called to testify in court. Two witnesses appeared before the 10th Magistrate's court on Monday.
Dr. Ramesh Agarwal, a physician for Akhtar, Ranaut, and the Roshan family, said in court that Akhtar had spoken with him about the conflict involving Roshan and Ranaut and recommended that the two come to an agreement. Agarwal and her sister Rangoli Chandel attended the meeting between Akhtar and Ranaut in March 2016.
When asked about the meeting where the allegedly defamatory comments were made, Agarwal responded, "I have not heard," on behalf of Akhtar's attorney Jay Bharadwaj. Being somewhat apart from them prevented me from participating in the conversation. At that time, I was also on the phone with a few patients.
The conversation lasted for around 20 to 30 minutes before Javed told her, "Aapko maafi mangni padegi," which means that she would need to apologize, according to Agarwal. "Padegi ya Mangiye is the question," Bharadwaj remarked. The question is whether you should ask for forgiveness or apologize. In response, Agarwal said, "Aap maafi mangiye."
"Was there any exchange of harsh words?" Bharadwaj questioned. Agarwal gave a negative response.
Ranaut's attorney Rizwan Siddiquee cross-examined Agarwal, asking if the actor had been requested to mediate the conflict between her and Roshan. She never asked for something like that, Agarwal retorted.
Is it accurate to state that you started the mediation at Javed Akhtar's request, in good faith? Siddiquee questioned. Agarwal gave a positive response.
Then Siddiquee questioned, "Why weren't the Roshans invited to the mediation meeting despite Akhtar's close relationship with Hrithik Roshan and his family?" When I went there, they weren't there, Agarwal retorted. I'm unsure whether they were invited or not.
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