A Jhansi court has issued a non-bailable warrant against actor Rakhi Sawant in connection with a 2010 suicide case involving a man who allegedly faced humiliating remarks on her television show, ‘Rakhi Ka Insaaf’. The warrant was issued after Sawant repeatedly failed to appear before the court, a government lawyer said. 

According to news agency PTI, Additional District and Sessions Judge of the Fast Track Court issued the warrant on Friday. District Government Counsel (Crime) Mridul Kant Srivastava confirmed the development and said the next hearing has been scheduled for December 1.

The case dates back to October 2010, when the man and his wife appeared on Sawant's show to discuss marital problems. The man later died by suicide in November that year.

What is the 2010 case against Rakhi Sawant?

The case concerns Laxman Ahirwar, a resident of the Hansari Prem Nagar area in Jhansi, who allegedly died by suicide on November 10, 2010, following his appearance on ‘Rakhi Ka Insaaf’.

Ahirwar's mother, Savitri, filed a complaint at the Prem Nagar police station, alleging that Sawant had made insulting and objectionable remarks about her son during an episode broadcast in October 2010.

According to the prosecution, Ahirwar and his wife, Anita, who was from Rajgarh, were invited to the programme after marital discord led Anita to return to her parental home. During the show, Sawant allegedly referred to Ahirwar as impotent while discussing the couple's dispute.

The family alleged that Ahirwar experienced depression after the broadcast. They also claimed that he later drank himself to death. The allegations formed the basis of the case registered in Jhansi.

The court's latest action follows Sawant's repeated absence from proceedings. The allegations against her relate to the remarks made during the television programme.

What was 'Rakhi Ka Insaaf'?

‘Rakhi Ka Insaaf’ was a television programme in which Sawant addressed personal and social disputes brought before her. Episodes often featured confrontations between participants as they discussed relationship problems and other personal matters.

The show attracted scrutiny following Ahirwar's death, with his family alleging that the remarks made during the programme contributed to his distress. The case subsequently became the subject of legal proceedings in Jhansi.

The next hearing is scheduled for December 1, Srivastava said.

Rakhi Sawant's recent comments on Govinda's marriage

Sawant has also been in the news recently for her comments about actor Govinda and his wife, Sunita Ahuja, amid speculation surrounding Govinda's relationship with his co-star Komal Rani Swarnkar.

Speaking to paparazzi earlier this month, Sawant criticised Govinda over the reported strain in his marriage and expressed support for Sunita. She said, “Govinda ji, pura desh naaraz hai aapse (Govinda ji, the whole nation is upset with you). The woman who married you and gave birth to your two kids, who has been with you for 40 years, you left her. And who is this Komal?”

Sawant also alleged that Komal had spoken disparagingly about her and other celebrities, issuing a warning in Hindi: “She is badmouthing me and talking trash about other celebrities, too. Chichi Bhaiya is the one who gave her these wings. Listen, don't mess with me. I am not Sunita; I will tear you to shreds.”

She subsequently referred to Komal as a “pati chor (husband stealer)”.

Earlier, Sunita had reportedly told Sawant during a phone conversation that Govinda and Komal were planning to marry. Sunita claimed this was why she had approached the court to withdraw her divorce petition. However, Govinda's manager, Shashi Sinha, denied the reports of a second marriage, describing the claims as completely untrue.