Kangana faces FIR with two non-bailable offences over Gandhi family posts

himachalscape November 14, 2026 3 minutes read

Shimla Police invoke three BNS sections following complaint over social media content

Shimla, Nov 14,

Trouble appears to be mounting for BJP MP Kangana Ranaut after Shimla Police registered an FIR invoking two non-bailable offences over her social media publications concerning the deaths of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

According to the FIR, registered at Shimla West Police Station on November 13, 2026, the case has been lodged under Sections 353(2), 196(1)(b) and 356(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. While Sections 196(1)(b) and 353(2) are non-bailable, Section 356(2), relating to defamation, is bailable. Assistant Sub-Inspector Madan Lal has been assigned the investigation.

The FIR follows a complaint filed by Capt. Atul Sharma, who alleged that social media publications attributed to Ranaut and dated November 10 contained insinuations about the deaths of the three members of the Gandhi family, potentially creating a misleading narrative and disturbing public tranquillity.

The complaint specifically refers to a social media post describing Sonia Gandhi as a “mysterious foreign national” and juxtaposing her political prominence with the deaths of Indira Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. It also questions references suggesting that the circumstances surrounding these deaths and Maneka Gandhi’s departure from the family residence were suspicious.

The complainant has argued that the cumulative effect of these statements could give rise to insinuations of a conspiracy without substantiating material. He has sought a forensic examination of the original social media publications, associated videos, metadata, timestamps and the context in which the content was circulated.

Also tead Complaint filed against Kangana Ranaut over Social Media post

Significantly, the complaint also asks investigators to examine whether the publications could promote hostility or prejudice against persons on grounds of national origin, or circulate false information capable of disturbing public tranquillity.

The FIR invokes Section 196, which deals with promoting enmity between groups and acts prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony, and Section 353, which addresses statements and circulation of information that may cause public mischief under specified statutory conditions. Section 356(2) relates to defamation.

The invocation of non-bailable provisions does not mean that arrest is automatic or that bail cannot be granted. It means that bail in these offences is subject to the applicable judicial process.

The complaint itself acknowledges the constitutional protection of political expression and argues that criticism of political personalities cannot automatically be criminalised. It maintains, however, that the context, factual basis, intention and foreseeable consequences of the publications require examination under the law.

Among the investigative measures sought are authentication of the social media account, preservation of the original posts and associated digital material, verification of the factual assertions and examination of the reach and impact of the publications.