Kangana Ranaut accuses Javed Akhtar of extortion and criminal intimidation

Days after the court warned of issuing an arrest warrant, Kangana Ranaut appeared before Andheri Metropolitan Magistrate's Court on Monday in the defamation proceedings filed against her by poet lyricist Javed Akhtar.

Ranaut has filed a transfer application before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court, stating that she has "lost faith" in the court hearing the matter. Her lawyer, Rizwan Siddiqui, added that the actress has filed a counter-complaint against Akhtar alleging extortion and criminal intimidation, reported The Indian Express.

The court had stated that an arrest warrant would be issued against her if she didn't appear before the court. Siddiqui argued that the offence alleged against Kangana is non-cognizable, compoundable, and bailable, and the court has been 'issuing threats indirectly' by stating that an arrest warrant will be issued against her for non-appearance. He added that her regular presence was not required on each date in such an offence.

The Andheri metropolitan court stated that it would hear the matter after the transfer applications are decided. The next hearing has been posted for November 15. The transfer plea will be heard on October 1.

Javed Akhtar's lawyer Jay Bharadwaj said that the other party is filing a new ground each time to delay the matter. He added that the court had followed procedures as per the law.