The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a petition from actor and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament Kangana Ranaut on Friday, challenging a defamation case filed against her. The case stems from alleged defamatory remarks made by Kangana during the 2020-21 protests against three controversial farm laws, which were later repealed. A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta will review her plea to have the case dismissed.

The defamation complaint was lodged by Mahinder Kaur, a 73-year-old woman from Punjab’s Bathinda district, who participated in the farmer protests. Ms. Kaur accused Kangana of falsely linking her to Bilkis Bano, a prominent figure in the Shaheen Bagh protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Kangana, the MP from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, also made a reference to Ms. Kaur being paid “Rs 100” for protesting, according to the complaint. Ms. Kaur stated that the remarks were false, defamatory, and damaging to her pride and honor, particularly as they were shared on social media.

Kangana 's earlier attempt to quash the defamation case was rejected by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on August 1. Justice Tribhuvan Dahiya, in a single-judge bench ruling, noted that there was no evidence to suggest Kangana's statements, which supported a post on X, were made in good faith or for public benefit. The court further dismissed claims that the remarks qualified for exceptions under Section 499 of the Indian Penal Code, which addresses defamation, citing a lack of evidence to demonstrate an absence of malice.

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Ms. Kaur, in her complaint, emphasized that she had been actively involved in the farmer protests from the outset and had no connection to the Shaheen Bagh protests or the woman featured in Time Magazine. She argued that Kangana's statements were not only misleading but also intended to harm her reputation.

As the Supreme Court prepares to hear the case, the outcome could have significant implications for Kangana, both as a public figure and a politician. The decision will likely hinge on whether the court finds merit in her plea to dismiss the defamation case or upholds the lower court’s ruling, allowing the legal proceedings to continue.

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