Bathinda: The hearing in the defamation case filed against Bollywood actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut was adjourned by a Bathinda court on Saturday due to a lawyers’ strike. The court has scheduled the next hearing for August 3.

According to advocate Raghubir Singh Bahniwal, who is representing complainant Bibi Mohinder Kaur, the matter was listed for hearing on Saturday, but court proceedings could not take place due to the strike by lawyers.

Witnesses could not appear due to lawyers’ strike

The court had summoned Bibi Mohinder Kaur and her grandson Gurpreet Singh to appear during the hearing. However, their statements could not be recorded as the proceedings were affected.

The witnesses are expected to appear before the court on the next date. Arguments related to the complainant’s plea regarding passport confiscation will also be heard during the upcoming hearing.

The complainant’s lawyer said further details would be available after the court passes its order.

Case dates back to farmers’ protest

The defamation case is linked to the farmers’ protest against the now-repealed farm laws in Delhi.

Bibi Mohinder Kaur, a resident of Bahadurgarh Jandian village in Bathinda, filed the complaint against Kangana Ranaut over a social media post allegedly made by the actor.

The complaint relates to Kangana’s alleged remarks that women participating in the farmers’ protest were joining demonstrations for money. Bibi Mohinder Kaur claimed that the post was defamatory and damaged her reputation.

Supreme Court had earlier rejected Kangana’s plea

Kangana Ranaut had earlier approached the Supreme Court seeking to quash the defamation proceedings. However, the apex court declined to entertain her petition.

The case will now come up for further hearing in the Bathinda court on August 3, when arguments and witness-related proceedings are expected to continue.