Javed Akhtar Acquitted In Defamation Case Following Withdrawal Of Complaint By Complainant

A Mumbai court has cleared Javed Akhtar of defamation charges related to his remarks about the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The case was withdrawn by the complainant, leading to Akhtar's acquittal. Judicial Magistrate S D Chakkar from Mulund officially closed the case on November 8.

Advocate Santosh Dubey, an RSS supporter, initially filed the complaint in October 2021. He accused Akhtar of defaming the Nagpur-based organisation during a television interview. The charges were under sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertain to defamation and its punishment.

Dubey claimed that Akhtar's comments were a deliberate attempt to malign the RSS. In the interview, Akhtar allegedly compared Hindu extremists with the Taliban amidst the latter's rise to power in Afghanistan. This comparison was deemed objectionable by Dubey.

Recently, Dubey approached the court again with a request to withdraw his complaint against Akhtar. He informed the court that both parties had reached a settlement through mediation. Consequently, he expressed his desire not to pursue legal action against Akhtar any further.

The court acknowledged this development and subsequently acquitted Javed Akhtar, marking the case as withdrawn. This decision reflects the resolution reached between both parties involved in the dispute.