Actor Kangana Ranaut and her sister have moved the Supreme Court for transfer of four criminal cases registered against them in Mumbai to Shimla.
In their joint petition, Ms. Ranaut and her sister, Rangoli Chandel, said they apprehend danger to their lives and property in Mumbai.
The cases include FIRs registered on separate complaints filed by lawyer Ali Kashif Khan Deshmukh and Munawar Ali, accusing the sisters of allegedly trying to spread communal hatred. The sisters also sought the transfer of a criminal defamation case registered on a complaint filed by lyricist Javed Akhtar.
The sisters, represented by advocate Neeraj Shekhar, said the cases have been filed to malign their public image. They said they have a “stellar reputation and huge fan following among the Indian public”. They said they were “public-spirited citizens”. They contended that the complaints against them were frivolous and a means for harassment.
“Malafide intentions”
“The Maharashtra government led by Shiv Sena has been harassing the petitioners,” the petition said. It accused Shiv Sena leader and MP Sanjay Raut of name-calling besides highlighting how the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation had illegally demolished a part of Ms. Ranaut's Pali Hill bungalow. She said the action “smacked of malafide intentions”.
The petition said, “The acts of the Maharashtra government clearly shows that it has malafide intentions against the petitioners and that if they visit Maharashtra to attend the trials, there will be a constant threat to them from the Shiv Sena and Maharashtra government.”
The petition, as proof of the danger against Ms. Ranaut, said the Home Ministry has provided Y-Plus category CRPF security.
“It is quite evident that they face serious threat to life and property, and if the trial of the cases are not transferred out of Mumbai, the petitioners’ life will be at risk,” the plea contended.
