July 27, 2021: A Mumbai court on Tuesday exempted actor Kangana Ranaut from appearance in the defamation case filed against her by lyricist Javed Akhtar as her ‘last chance’.

As per sources, the Metropolitan Magistrate RR Khan has granted a last chance to Kangana Ranaut to appear before the Court in the defamation case filed by lyricist Javed Akhtar.

 The Court made it clear that a bailable warrant will be issued against the actress if she fails to appear for the next hearing.

An advocate appearing for Kangana told the court that Kangana was not in the country so she would not be present during the hearing on Tuesday (July 27). She sought exemption from her personal appearance. However, advocate Jai Bharadwaj appearing for Akhtar, vehemently opposed the application and sought a warrant to be issued against her.

Keeping with the current Standard Operating Procedure for courts, the Magistrate rejected Akhtar's plea and granted her exemption as last chance and adjourned the hearing for September 1.

 Akhtar had filed the criminal defamation complaint against Ranaut over her statements made to the Republic TV after Sushant Singh Rajput's death. In February 2021, Metropolitan Magistrate at Andheri had issued process under section 204 of the CrPC and summoned Ranaut to court.