MUMBAI: Veteran lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar has been acquitted in a defamation case filed against him for his alleged remarks about the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The Mumbai Magistrate’s Court in Mulund dismissed the case after the complainant, Advocate Santosh Dubey, withdrew the charges following a settlement through mediation.
Background of the Case
The defamation suit, initiated in October 2021, was based on Akhtar’s remarks during a television interview where he allegedly compared the RSS with the Taliban. This statement sparked controversy, leading Dubey, who identifies as an RSS supporter, to accuse Akhtar of defamation under Sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code. According to Dubey, Akhtar’s comments were a deliberate attempt to defame the Nagpur-based organization.
Withdrawal and Settlement
On November 8, 2024, the complainant submitted a plea to withdraw the case, citing a resolution reached between the parties during mediation. In the plea, Dubey stated that he no longer wished to pursue legal action, paving the way for Akhtar’s acquittal. The court formally disposed of the case on this basis, bringing the legal proceedings to an end.
Implications of the Acquittal
This outcome highlights the role of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, such as mediation, in settling contentious legal matters. It also underscores the ongoing sensitivity surrounding remarks about socio-political organizations like the RSS.
Akhtar’s lawyer welcomed the decision, expressing hope that it would bring closure to the matter. This development has once again brought to the forefront the balance between free speech and accountability in public discourse.
Web Team, C6N
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