FIR filed against Kangana Ranaut over social media posts on Gandhi family
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Police have opened a case against BJP MP Kangana Ranaut after a Shimla resident alleged that her recent social media posts about the Gandhi family were inflammatory and could disturb public order.
The FIR was registered in Shimla on November 13 following a complaint by retired Captain Atul Sharma. Police have invoked Sections 196(1)(b), 353(2) and 356(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in connection with the matter.
Sharma alleged that Ranaut used her verified social media account on November 10 to publish posts containing provocative insinuations about the deaths of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her sons, Sanjay Gandhi and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
The complaint also took exception to references made about Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, who was allegedly described in the posts as a "mysterious foreign national."
According to the complainant, the posts implied that Sonia Gandhi entered the Gandhi family before the deaths of its members and later gained control of the government. The posts allegedly carried the remark, "How convenient."
Sharma further objected to Ranaut's claim about developments after Sanjay Gandhi's death, in which she allegedly said his wife, Maneka Gandhi, was "thrown out" of the family residence.
The complainant said the remarks went beyond legitimate political criticism and amounted to an attempt to spread inflammatory narratives. He argued that such posts could create hostility among sections of the public, disturb peace and fuel enmity between groups. He also alleged that the content included false or misleading information.
After the FIR was registered, Himachal Pradesh Police began examining the allegations against the Mandi MP. The complaint's claims are being verified as part of the investigation.
The development comes days after Ranaut questioned the timing of Sonia Gandhi acquiring Indian citizenship, referring to her marriage and her decision to become an Indian citizen in 1983. In an Instagram Story, the BJP MP also questioned Sonia Gandhi's political rise and levelled a series of accusations against her.
(Inputs from IANS)