HC exempts Akshay Kumar from appearance in defamation case

New Delhi, Apr 26: The Delhi High Court today exempted actor Akshay Kumar from personal appearance before a trial court in a defamation case filed by Bata footwear company which had objected to a dialogue in his film 'Jolly LLB 2'.

"Till the next date of hearing the petitioner (Kumar) is exempted from personal appearance before trial court," Justice Mukta Gupta said and fixed the matter for hearing on May 23.

The judge further said the actor can be represented through his counsel. Kumar had moved the high court against the summons issued against him by the trial court on February 8 and sought quashing of the complaint lodged against him and others - actor Annu Kapoor, director Subhash Kapoor and film producer Fox Star Studios India Pvt Ltd.

Bata India Limited, in its complaint, had alleged that "disparaging comments and defamatory reference" were made against Bata as a brand in the main trailer of the motion picture.