Bathinda court rejects Kangana’s plea for virtual appearance, asks her to be present on October 27

After nearly 13 months of hearings, the Bathinda court issued summons to Ranaut. The actor subsequently approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking relief, but her petition was dismissed. She later moved the Supreme Court, which also declined to interfere, leaving the lower court’s order intact. Ranaut argued that she had merely reposted a lawyer’s social media post and had not independently made the remarks. However, the Bathinda court found grounds to continue proceedings and rejected her plea for virtual appearance.

Earlier this month, the court had summoned Ranaut in the matter, but with Friday’s order it has now made her personal presence mandatory.

The next hearing has been scheduled for October 27.Express News Service
Bathinda, September 29

A Bathinda court has dismissed a petition filed by BJP MP from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh and Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut seeking exemption from personal appearance in a defamation case through video conferencing.

The court has directed Ranaut to appear in person on October 27, with summons to be served via the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP). The case dates back to January 2021 farmers’ agitation when Ranaut allegedly posted a tweet referring to Mahinder Kaur, an elderly woman farmer from village Bahadurgarh Jandia in Bathinda district, as someone who attended protests in exchange of payment of Rs 100. Kaur, who is now 81 years old, had filed a defamation case on January 4, 2021, claiming her reputation was damaged by the remarks.

After nearly 13 months of hearings, the Bathinda court issued summons to Ranaut. The actor subsequently approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking relief, but her petition was dismissed. She later moved the Supreme Court, which also declined to interfere, leaving the lower court’s order intact. Ranaut argued that she had merely reposted a lawyer’s social media post and had not independently made the remarks. However, the Bathinda court found grounds to continue proceedings and rejected her plea for virtual appearance.

Earlier this month, the court had summoned Ranaut in the matter, but with Friday’s order it has now made her personal presence mandatory.

The next hearing has been scheduled for October 27.