A revision petition challenging the dismissal of a criminal complaint filed against Member of Parliament and actress Kangana Ranaut. The complaint alleges that Ms. Ranaut made derogatory remarks against farmers and freedom fighters, amounting to sedition.
The revision petition has been accepted. The Special Judge set aside the lower court’s order dated May 6, 2025, which had dismissed the complaint. The matter has been remitted to the lower court for a fresh hearing on its merits.
The legal proceedings were initiated on September 11, 2024, when Advocate Ramashankar Sharma, President of the Rajiv Gandhi Bar Association, filed a complaint in the Agra court against Ms. Kangana Ranaut.
The complaint alleged that Ms. Ranaut, in a media interview dated August 26, 2024, and in subsequent social media posts, made highly objectionable and derogatory statements. The petitioner alleged that these statements, which reportedly referred to protesting farmers as “rioters” and “terrorists,” insulted the farming community. The complaint further alleged that Ms. Ranaut had made “seditious remarks” and insulted freedom fighters, including Mahatma Gandhi.
The petitioner sought the registration of a case against Ms. Ranaut, including charges of sedition.
On May 6, 2025, the complaint was dismissed by the subordinate court (lower court). Following this dismissal, the complainant, Advocate Sharma, filed a revision petition before the Special Judge (MP-MLA) challenging the legality and correctness of the dismissal order.
As reported by various news agencies, arguments were presented by counsel for both the petitioner (revisionist) and the respondent (Ms. Ranaut).
The petitioner’s counsel argued that the lower court’s order dismissing the complaint was not legally sound (“nyaya sangat”). It was contended that the lower court had dismissed the suit prematurely and without properly considering the evidence submitted, and had allegedly overlooked procedural requirements.
Counsel for Ms. Kangana Ranaut, including advocates from the Supreme Court, reportedly presented arguments opposing the revision petition and defending the lower court’s dismissal order.
After hearing the arguments from both sides on November 10, 2025, and reserving the decision, Special Judge (MP-MLA) Lokesh Kumar delivered the order on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
The Court allowed the revision petition filed by Advocate Ramashankar Sharma.
In its decision, the Court set aside the order of the lower court dated May 6, 2025, which had dismissed the complaint. According to reports, the Special Judge observed that the lower court had overlooked certain mandatory provisions, reportedly referencing Section 225(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, in its dismissal order.
The Court has remitted the matter back to the lower court with a direction to conduct a fresh hearing. The lower court is directed to re-hear the complaint based on the existing facts and evidence on record and to proceed in accordance with the law.
The case is now scheduled for a fresh hearing in the lower court on November 29, 2025.
