BATHINDA, Oct 27 — BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut was granted bail by a Bathinda court on Monday in a defamation case filed over her alleged derogatory social media post made during the 2020–21 farmers’ protest.
Ranaut, who represents Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi constituency, appeared before the court of the Judicial Magistrate First Class earlier in the day. Speaking to mediapersons after the hearing, she said, “It was all a misunderstanding. I only retweeted a meme and did not intend to target anyone personally. I have spoken with Mahinder Kaur ji’s husband and apologised to him since she was not present today.”
She added that the post was shared inadvertently amid a flood of memes circulating during the farmers’ agitation.
The case concerns a tweet from December 2020 in which Kangana shared a photo of elderly farmer Mahinder Kaur, comparing her to Shaheen Bagh protester Bilkis Bano and alleging that such women were “available for Rs 100” to participate in protests. The comment had sparked widespread criticism and prompted Kaur to file a defamation complaint in January 2021, accusing the actor of harming her reputation.
Kaur’s counsel, advocate Raghbir Singh Behniwal, contested Kangana’s claim of apology. “She told the court she retweeted the meme by mistake, but my client’s husband, Labh Singh, maintains no apology was ever made. We also opposed her plea for permanent exemption from personal appearance,” Behniwal said.
Following the Supreme Court’s recent refusal to exempt her from appearing in person, the BJP MP was directed to present herself before the trial court.
The matter has now been transferred to the Judicial Magistrate First Class (Special Court), and the next hearing is slated for November 24.
The Bathinda district court complex was placed under tight security, with additional police personnel deployed and barricades raised around the premises during Kangana’s visit.
Ranaut had missed multiple earlier hearings despite summons. Her plea for virtual appearance was dismissed on September 29, leading to fresh summons served via the police. She had also moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court and later the Supreme Court to seek quashing of the complaint but was denied relief at both levels.
