A magistrate’s court in Mumbai has asked the police to investigate a complaint against Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut and her sister Rangoli Chandel for allegedly trying to create tension between communities through their tweets.
Bandra metropolitan magistrate Jaydeo Y. Ghule passed the order on Friday after casting director Sahil Ashrafali Sayyed lodged the complaint seeking registration of an FIR under IPC sections 153A (promoting enmity), 295A (malicious acts intended to outrage the religious feelings), 124A (sedition) against the actor and her sister, his lawyer Ravish Zamindar said.
In his complaint, Mr. Sayyed said, “Her (Ms. Ranaut’s) tweets are creating divisions between Hindu Artistes and Muslim Artistes. I say that she is maliciously bringing religion in almost all her tweets.” He also said, “She has gone to such an extent that she has also blamed Jamaatis for spreading coronavirus etc. thereby trying to create hatred and communal tensions between Hindus and Muslims deliberately as she is well aware that she is a well known actress and has a big fan base so her tweets will be seen and will reach out to many people.”
The complainant alleged that the actor has been defaming Bollywood since the last two months by calling it a “hub of nepotism”, “favouritism”, etc. through her tweets and television interviews. He added that Ms. Ranaut’s “very objectionable” comments, had not only hurt his religious sentiments, but also the feelings of many artistes.
Mr Sayyed said, “Islam Religion has nothing to do with film business and secondly Ms. Ranaut is trying to create divisions by spreading hate and disharmony in Hindi Film Industry.”
Upon perusal of the documents on record and the lawyer’s submission, the court found that “cognisable offence” has been committed by the accused. Mr Ghule then directed the police station concerned to initiate necessary action and investigation against the actor and her sister under relevant provisions of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
“Total allegations are based upon the comments made on electronic media — Twitter and interviews — and a thorough investigation by an expert is necessary,” the court said.
