Punjab & Haryana High Court Rejects Kangana Ranaut’s Plea in Defamation Case Filed by Farmer Mahinder Kaur
The complaint was lodged by 73-year-old farmer Mahinder Kaur, who accused Ranaut of defaming her through a social media post during the 2020-21 farmers’ agitation.
CHANDIGARH- The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday dismissed a petition filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament Kangana Ranaut, seeking to quash a summoning order issued by a Bathinda court in a defamation case.
The complaint was lodged by 73-year-old farmer Mahinder Kaur, who accused Ranaut of defaming her through a social media post during the 2020-21 farmers’ agitation. Kaur alleged that Ranaut misidentified her as Bilkis Bano, a prominent figure from the Shaheen Bagh protests, in a now-deleted post and implied that elderly women protestors could be hired for as little as ₹100.
The post, along with a retweet by Ranaut mocking Kaur’s involvement in the farmers’ protests and criticizing international media coverage, reportedly subjected Kaur to public ridicule and emotional distress.
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Kaur, a participant in the farmers’ agitation against the now-repealed farm laws, sought legal recourse to protect her reputation.
The Bathinda court issued a summoning order on February 22, 2022, prompting Ranaut to approach the High Court. In her petition, Ranaut argued that the trial court had misapplied Section 202 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), which mandates an inquiry before issuing a summons in certain cases.
However, the High Court found no merit in her arguments, observing that the allegations were specific and defamatory in nature. The court further noted that the complaint was valid in seeking to safeguard Kaur’s dignity and reputation.
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“The allegations made in the complaint are specific, and the respondent has a legitimate grievance. The summoning order by the Bathinda court is well-reasoned and does not warrant interference,” the High Court stated in its ruling.
The decision marks a setback for Ranaut, who has been embroiled in several controversies related to her social media activity. The defamation case will now proceed in the Bathinda court, where Ranaut is expected to face trial.
Kaur’s legal counsel welcomed the High Court’s verdict, stating, “This is a victory for truth and justice. Our client was unfairly targeted and humiliated, and this ruling upholds her right to dignity.”
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Ranaut’s legal team has not yet issued a public statement on the verdict or indicated whether they plan to pursue further legal options.
The case has reignited discussions about the responsibility of public figures in their use of social media and the legal consequences of defamatory statements, particularly during sensitive socio-political movements like the farmers’ protests.
