BJP Member of Parliament and actor Kangana Ranaut did not present herself before a court in Bathinda on Monday for a hearing in a defamation case filed against her. Her legal representatives instead moved an application seeking exemption from her personal appearance for the fourth consecutive time.
Prosecution Opposes Exemption Plea
The prosecution strongly opposed the plea filed by Ranaut's counsels. Arguing against the exemption, prosecution counsel Raghbir Singh Behniwal requested the court to cancel the bail bonds granted to the MP. He termed the repeated applications a misuse of the legal process.
"During the previous hearing, the counsels of the MP took the plea that the winter session of Parliament was ongoing and being a Member of Parliament, she had to attend that session," stated Behniwal. "However, now that the session is over, seeking exemption from personal appearance for the fourth consecutive hearing is a misuse of law."
Case History and Witness Examination
The defamation suit, which completed five years in court on Monday, was originally filed on January 5, 2021, by Mahinder Kaur under sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code. The trial recommenced in late 2025 after higher courts, including the Supreme Court, provided no relief to Ranaut against the summons.
During Monday's proceedings, the prosecution submitted a list of three witnesses. The chief examination of the complainant, Mahinder Kaur, has been concluded, and her cross-examination by the defence is pending. Following the arguments, the court adjourned the matter to January 15 for the next hearing.
Background of the Defamation Case
The case stems from a social media post made by Kangana Ranaut in 2021. While sharing a photograph of Mahinder Kaur during the peak of the 2020-2021 farmers' protest, Ranaut had written a controversial caption.
She had alleged that Kaur was "the same 'dadi' who featured on Time magazine for being the most powerful Indian. And she is available in 100 rupees." Ranaut further added, "Pakistani jurnos have hijacked international PR for India in an embarrassing way. We need our own people to speak for us internationally."
Ranaut had previously appeared in court on October 27 and was granted bail in the case. Ahead of the last hearing on December 15, her counsel had informed the court that an earlier application from October 27, seeking permission to appear via video conference, was still pending consideration.
