Court frames charges against Kangana Ranaut in defamation case

The special MP-MLA court in Bathinda on Monday framed charges against actor and BJP MP from Mandi, Kangana Ranaut, in the 2021 defamation case filed by 82-year-old farmer Mahinder Kaur, marking a significant development in the matter that has been pending since the farm agitation.

The court has fixed December 4 as the next date of hearing and issued a notice of accusation in the case.

The case relates to a tweet posted by Kangana during the farmers’ protest, in which she shared a photograph of Mahinder Kaur from Bahadurgarh Jandian village here, mistaking her for Shaheen Bagh protester Bilkis Bano and alleging that such women were “available for Rs 100” to join protests. The remark drew widespread outrage, prompting Mahinder Kaur to file a defamation complaint in January 2021.

During today’s proceedings, Kangana appeared through video conferencing. She has already sought permanent exemption from personal appearance, citing security concerns and referring to an incident last year at the Chandigarh airport.

However, counsel for the complainant, advocate Raghbir Singh Behniwal, opposed the plea, saying they had formally objected to the exemption request. Kangana’s legal team is expected to file a rejoinder at the next hearing.

Meanwhile, Labh Singh, husband of complainant Mahinder Kaur, appeared in court as she is reportedly down with viral fever. He reiterated the family’s resolve to pursue the legal battle. “We will fight the case to its logical conclusion. We are not satisfied with Kangana’s oral apology submitted during the previous hearing,” he said.

The matter had earlier come up on October 27, when Kangana got bail and personally appeared before multiple courts here, following a Supreme Court directive that denied her exemption from appearance. The case was subsequently transferred to the court of the Judicial Magistrate First Class (Special Court).

With charges now formally framed, the case will now move to the evidence stage.