MUMBAI: Actress Kangana Ranaut who is facing a defamation case filed by lyricist Javed Akhtar in Mumbai's metropolitan magistrate’s court was warned of an arrest warrant against her if she remained absent during the next hearing.

Granting an exemption from appearance today, since her counsel Rizwan Siddiqui pleaded that she was unwell with ‘Covid-like symptoms’ and submitted a medical certificate from a doctor to substantiate the plea.

Siddiqui told the court, "She has been travelling a lot to promote her new film and has been meeting a lot of people. So she has probably contracted Covid due to that. She has to undergo a test. I am seeking a short date." 

On the other hand, Akhtar's lawyer Jay Bhanushali, opposed Ranaut’s plea stating that she has only been prolonging the case while his client Akhtar has been 'diligently' attended almost all eight hearings since February when the case came up before the court. 

Siddiqui then assured the court that Ranaut will remain present for the next hearing unless she tested positive for COVID-19 in which case he will inform the court with another plea. 

The court scheduled the next hearing for September 20 and said that if she fails to appear before the court then considering Bhanushali’s application seeking a warrant it will issue an arrest warrant against her.

Akhtar had filed a case against Kangana following her alleged ‘defamatory and baseless comments’ against him during a television interview. 

In December 2020, the court directed the Juhu police to conduct an inquiry into Akhtar's complaint and subsequently an offence of defamation was prima facie made out and the court initiated criminal proceedings against the actress. 

Last week, the Bombay High Court had dismissed the plea filed by Kangana, seeking to quash the defamation case based on Akhtar's complaint filed against her.