Kangana Ranaut Allowed To Attend Hearings Virtually, Cites Threats To Personal Safety And Security, In Defamation Case
Earlier in the day, Kangana Amardeep Ranaut was granted bail by the court in the same defamation
Kangana Ranaut Allowed To Attend Hearings Virtually, Cites Threats To Personal Safety And Security, In Defamation Case: A Punjab court has granted actress Kangana Ranaut exemption from personal appearances on all subsequent dates in the defamation case filed against her over an alleged derogatory remark made during the 2020–21 farmers’ protest.
BJP MP from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi, Kangana Ranaut, has also been allowed to attend all pending proceedings through video conferencing henceforth.
Kangana Amardeep Ranaut’s counsel moved an application before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bathinda, seeking exemption from her personal appearance on all subsequent dates, after complying with the court’s direction to appear in person today.
The application was moved, citing “her personal safety and security.”
“The applicant has been subjected to persistent threats and instances of intimidation which pose a real and continuing danger to her life and physical safety, particularly in relation to her presence in or around the region of Bathinda, Punjab. The apprehensions of the applicant are neither speculative nor unfounded but are premised upon a documented history of threats and attacks,” the application read.
The plea also highlighted incidents that, according to the counsel, posed threats to the actress-turned-politician’s safety and security.
“An FIR dated 29.11.2021 was registered at the behest of the applicant against one Mr. Manpreet Singh and other known and unknown persons, under Sections 295A, 505(2), 504, 506(ii), and 509 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. The said FIR pertains to direct and serious threats to the life, dignity, and personal liberty of the applicant. The said incident is a matter of official record and forms a critical basis for the present request,” the application further stated.
It added that the exemption plea was backed by “cogent reasons, factual background, and legal precedents,” and cited another incident in which Kangana was allegedly assaulted by a CISF constable in 2024.
“In a separate and highly disturbing incident dated 06.06.2024, the applicant was physically assaulted at the Chandigarh Airport by one CISF constable namely Kulwinder Kaur. It is respectfully submitted that the said assault occurred after the applicant had completed security formalities and had proceeded past the screening area. The constable in question was thereafter placed under suspension and an FIR was registered concerning the said incident. The attack, which occurred within a high-security zone and by a uniformed personnel, has significantly heightened the applicant's concerns regarding her personal safety in public spaces, particularly while attending court proceedings in Punjab,” the application said.
Taking into account the facts and circumstances presented, the court granted leave to the actress to appear before it through video conferencing for all future hearings.
“In view of the above facts and circumstances, it is most respectfully prayed that this Hon'ble Court may be pleased to grant leave to the Defendant/Applicant, Ms. Kangana Ranaut, to appear before this Hon'ble Court through video conferencing for all future hearings, in lieu of physical presence, in view of the serious and demonstrable threats to her safety and dignity,” the court’s order read.
“Permit the Defendant/Applicant to file objections, written statements, replies, or any other pleadings through her duly authorised counsel, without insisting on her physical appearance before this Hon'ble Court,” it added.
Earlier in the day, Kangana Amardeep Ranaut was granted bail by the court in the same defamation case filed against her by complainant Mahinder Kaur.
According to a report by The Tribune, the case has now been transferred from the court of Judicial Magistrate First Class to that of the Judicial Magistrate First Class (Special Court), with the next hearing scheduled for November 24.
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