Bathinda Court Defamation Case: Kangana Ranaut's Passport Surrender Hearing Adjourned to February 10
In a significant development in the ongoing defamation case against Member of Parliament Kangana Ranaut, the defence counsels on Tuesday filed a detailed reply to an application moved by the prosecution. This application specifically pertained to a prayer for the surrender of Kangana Ranaut's passport, a matter being heard in the Bathinda court. The prosecution, upon reviewing the defence's reply, raised strong objections to certain facts disclosed within it, which opposed the prayer for the passport's surrender.
Prosecution Seeks Time for Detailed Rejoinder
The prosecution, led by counsel Raghbir Singh Behniwal, expressed concerns over the accuracy of the facts presented in the defence's reply. "We found certain facts which did not seem true in opposing the surrender of the passport," stated Behniwal. Consequently, the prosecution sought additional time to prepare and file a comprehensive rejoinder, with the next hearing date fixed for February 10. This adjournment allows both parties to further substantiate their arguments regarding the passport surrender issue.
Witness Examination and Evidence Completion
Simultaneously, the prosecution made progress in presenting its case by producing two additional witnesses on Tuesday. These witnesses were farmer leader Surjit Singh Phool and Jasbir Singh from Bahadaurgarh Jandia, the native village of the complainant, Mahinder Kaur. The chief-in-examination of these witnesses was successfully completed during the hearing. In a strategic move, the prosecution decided to give up witness Rajinder Singh, thereby concluding its oral evidence presentation with a total of four witnesses produced in the case.
Court Directives for Efficient Proceedings
To ensure a streamlined and efficient judicial process, the court issued specific directives to the defence team. The defence has been instructed to apprise the court two days prior to the fixed hearing date. This advance notice is intended to facilitate the scheduling of cross-examinations in a manner that allows them to be conducted within a single day, minimizing delays and optimizing court time.
Kangana Ranaut's Virtual Appearance
Notably, Kangana Ranaut, the respondent in this defamation case, appeared before the Bathinda court through video conferencing. This mode of appearance underscores the integration of technology in legal proceedings, ensuring participation despite geographical constraints. The case continues to draw significant attention due to its high-profile nature and the legal intricacies involved in matters of defamation and passport surrender.
