Kangana’s tweet: Karnataka HC quashes order for investigation

The High Court of Karnataka on Thursday set aside the order of a local court in Tumakuru directing the police to investigate a private complaint filed against Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut on her tweets about farmers opposing the farming bills.

Justice H P Sandesh directed the Tumakuru court to look into the matter afresh.

During the hearing the bench asked the advocate appearing for Kangana as to who gave the power or authority to make such comments/allegations. The bench asked what would have been Kangana's response if similar allegations were made against her.

The private complaint was filed in a local court in Tumakuru for her tweet saying that people spreading rumours about farm bills are terrorists.

While setting aside the order directing the police investigation, the High Court pointed out that the magistrate did not satisfy himself on the question whether the averments in the complaint constituted offences alleged. With this order the FIR registered against Kangana stands quashed, however the private complaint will be heard by the magistrate afresh.

The private complaint was filed by Ramesh Naik L, an advocate. The complainant alleged that Kangana had posted the tweet on September 21 in her Twitter handle with an intention to hurt those who were opposing the farm bills. The actor had claimed that those who had spread misinformation and rumours about Citizens Amendment Act (CAA) are now spreading rumours about farm bills and causing terror in the nation and they are terrorists. The complainant said the content of the tweet was provocative. He claimed the authorities failed to take action and prayed for the court's intervention directing the police to investigate.

In her petition challenging the order of the Tumakuru court, Kangana stated that the private complaint was filed on September 25, 2020, within three days after filing a police complaint. She also contended that there was complete non-application of mind on the part of the magistrate.