Mumbai Court To Pronounce Verdict On March 20 Against Javed Akhtar For Comparing RSS With Taliban

A Mumbai’s sessions court recently completed hearing the arguments of both parties in the defamation case filed against Bollywood lyricist Javed Akhtar.

The court reserved its decision in the matter and will pronounce the judgment on March 20.

Akhtar was charged with comparing Taliban to the RSS. In a 2021 interview with a news portal, Akhtar stated, “Taliban are barbaric and their actions are reprehensible, but those who support the RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal are all same. They follow Hitler’s ideology.”

Petitioner Santosh Dubey, a Mumbai-based lawyer, sent Akhtar with a Rs 100 crore defamation notice for allegedly making “false and defamatory” remarks that harmed “the image and dignity of the RSS.” Dubey had also asked Akhtar to tender an unconditional written apology.

During the case’s hearing on Friday, Akhtar’s lawyer contended that the petitioner, Santosh Dubey, had no right to file the case on behalf of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Akhtar’s lawyer also informed the sessions court that summons had been issued to Akhtar without first reviewing the full facts of the case.

In response, advocate petitioner Santosh Dubey informed the court that he is a self-employed member of the RSS and thus has the right to file the petition.

Javed Akhtar had approached the Mumbai Sessions Court to challenge the summons issued by the Mulund Metropolitan Magistrate Court, which ordered him to appear for the hearing of the defamation case filed against him.