Bollywood star Ranveer Singh has approached the Karnataka High Court seeking cancellation of an FIR filed over his “female ghost” remark during praise of Kantara at IFFI. He argues the comment was taken out of context and made without any intention to hurt religious sentiments.
Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh has moved the Karnataka High Court seeking to quash an FIR registered against him over remarks made during his speech at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. The matter has been listed for hearing on February 24 before Justice M. Nagaprasanna.
The criminal petition challenges an order passed by the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM), Bengaluru, who directed an investigation under Section 175(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.
Following this order, the High Grounds Police Station registered an FIR against Singh for alleged offences under Sections 196 (religious enmity), 299 (religious insult), and 302 (public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
According to the complaint, Singh’s speech at the film festival allegedly hurt religious sentiments and promoted enmity between communities. During his address, Singh had praised actor Rishab Shetty and appreciated his performance in the film Kantara: Chapter 1.
While doing so, he referred to a character as a “female ghost” and mimicked Shetty’s performance. The complainant claimed that these expressions were offensive and hurt religious feelings.
In his petition before the High Court, Singh has strongly denied any wrongdoing. He has argued that his remarks were misunderstood and taken out of context. The plea clearly states that there was no intention to insult any religion or community.
It further highlights that Singh issued an unconditional apology on social media soon after the controversy, clarifying that his comments were only meant to appreciate Shetty’s acting skills and that he respects all cultures and traditions.
The petition specifically uses the phrase “female ghost” while explaining the context in which it was spoken. It also refers to the allegation that Singh’s words allegedly hurt religious sentiments and promoted enmity between communities. However, the actor has maintained that there was no malicious intent behind the statement.
Challenging the FIR, Singh has argued that the essential ingredients required to attract the offences under Sections 196, 299, and 302 of the BNS are not made out in the present case. According to the plea, there was no incitement to violence, no attempt to create disharmony, and no deliberate or malicious intention to insult any religion.
The petition further contends that the Magistrate’s order directing investigation under Section 175(3) BNSS is mechanical and suffers from non-application of mind. It states that the complaint does not disclose any cognisable offence that would justify registration of an FIR. Singh has also argued that allowing the criminal proceedings to continue would amount to abuse of the process of law.
It is further contended that the magistrate’s order directing investigation under Section 175(3) BNSS is mechanical and that the complaint does not disclose a cognisable offence warranting registration of an FIR. The plea asserts that continuation of the proceedings would amount to abuse of the process of law.
The matter was mentioned for urgent listing before Justice M. Nagaprasanna, who agreed to hear the case on February 24. Singh is being represented by Advocate Manu Prabhakar Kulkarni from Poovayya & Co.
The upcoming hearing will determine whether the High Court finds merit in Singh’s argument that the FIR and criminal proceedings against him should be quashed.
Case Title:
Ranveer Singh v. State of Karnataka
Click Here to Read Our Reports on Anti-Conversion Law
