Kangana Ranaut booked for inflammatory remarks against Gandhis
What's the story
The Himachal Pradesh Police has filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament Kangana Ranaut. The case was registered in Shimla on Friday after a complaint accused her of making inflammatory comments about the Gandhi family. Retired Captain Atul Sharma, a Shimla resident, lodged the complaint alleging that Ranaut's social media post could disturb communal harmony and threaten public peace.
Allegations detailed
Sharma's complaint details 'highly inflammatory insinuations'
Sharma's complaint alleged that Ranaut's post, shared on November 10, made "highly inflammatory insinuations" about the deaths of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her sons Sanjay and Rajiv.
The complaint also objected to references to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi as a "mysterious foreign national." It claimed Sonia arrived at a cafe abroad before members of the Gandhi family were killed one after another.
Information dissemination
Allegations in post cross line from political criticism: Complaint
The complaint also highlighted Maneka Gandhi's departure from the family residence after Sanjay's death.
Sharma argued that these allegations crossed the line from political criticism into dangerous territory, potentially inciting public hostility and disturbing communal harmony.
He alleged that Ranaut's post circulated misleading information capable of causing fear or alarm and promoting enmity between different groups.
Legal proceedings
FIR filed under these sections
The FIR has been registered under Sections 196(1)(b), 353(2), and 356(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Superintendent of Police (Shimla) Gaurav Singh confirmed that the case had been registered and that an investigation will follow.
Sharma's complaint demanded the immediate registration of an FIR and a time-bound cyber-forensic investigation into Ranaut's post.
Memoir release
Ranaut's post coincided with archival video
Ranaut's remarks came as an archival home video from around 1981 resurfaced on social media.
The footage shows a family dinner attended by Indira Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Maneka Gandhi, and young Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi.
The social media post coincided with the release of Sonia Gandhi's memoir, "Belonging: A Journey of Love."