Bathinda court directs Kangana Ranaut to appear via video conferencing in defamation case
Shimla, Jan 15,
BJP MP from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, and Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut appeared before a Bathinda court on Thursday through video conferencing in connection with a defamation case filed against her by an elderly woman over remarks linked to the farmers’ protest.
The court clarified that Kangana will be required to attend all future hearings in the case through video conferencing. The next date of hearing has been fixed for January 27. Kangana had sought exemption from personal appearance, citing security concerns. Her counsel submitted that travelling to Punjab could pose a threat to her safety.
Also read: Bathinda court rejects Kangana Ranaut’s plea for Virtual appearance in defamation case
The court also heard arguments on a separate petition seeking seizure of Kangana’s passport. The plea has been filed by advocate Raghubir Singh Bahniwal on behalf of the complainant, Mahinder Kaur, an 81-year-old resident of Bahadurgarh village in Bathinda district. The lawyer argued that Kangana’s passport should be confiscated to prevent her from travelling abroad under the guise of film-related commitments. The court is expected to pass an order on this petition at a later date.
The case dates back to the farmers’ agitation of 2020–21, when Kangana posted remarks on social media allegedly mocking an elderly woman seen participating in the protest. In the post, she suggested that women were being paid to join the agitation, a claim that drew widespread criticism.
Mahinder Kaur filed a defamation complaint on January 4, 2021, asserting that the remarks had damaged her dignity and reputation. After prolonged proceedings, the Bathinda court issued summons to Kangana. Her subsequent petitions in the Punjab and Haryana High Court and later in the Supreme Court did not bring her relief.
The matter continues to remain under judicial consideration.
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