Mumbai: Sessions Court Denies Javed Akhtar’s Appeal Against Summon
Mumbai, 21st March 2023: Javed Akhtar’s appeal against summonses issued against him by a magistrate in connection with a criminal case brought by a lawyer over his allegedly offensive remarks against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was denied by a sessions court in Mumbai on Monday.
Santosh Dubey, a lawyer, had filed a complaint against Akhtar in October 2021 before the metropolitan magistrate court in the Mulund area under sections 499 (defamation) and 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) (punishment for defamation).
After hearing both sides’ arguments, the magistrate summoned the seasoned songwriter in December of the previous year.
Via his attorney, the 78-year-old Bollywood actor challenged the summons in a plea before the sessions court.
On 31st March, Akhtar must appear before the Mulund court.
The complainant, who identifies as an RSS supporter, claimed Akhtar had made the comments during a television appearance in a “calculated and well-planned operation” to malign the organisation to earn political points.
The complaint had claimed that the statements made by the accused during the interview were intended to discredit the Hindutva organisation with its headquarters in Nagpur and to deter and lead astray individuals who have joined the RSS or would like to do so.
