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The post allegedly linked the tragic deaths of former PMs Indira and Rajiv Gandhi, along with Sanjay Gandhi, to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s subsequent political rise
Along with copies and direct URLs of the November 10 post, the complainant has urged police to preserve electronic metadata and conduct a time-bound cyber-forensic examination to authenticate the material and trace its digital dissemination. (File image: X)
Himachal Pradesh Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament from Mandi, Kangana Ranaut, over allegedly inflammatory social media posts targeting the Gandhi family. Confirmed by Shimla Superintendent of Police Gaurav Singh, the case was lodged at the Boileauganj police station in Shimla under Sections 196, 353, and 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023—provisions covering the promotion of enmity between groups, public mischief through false information, and defamation.
The police action follows a formal complaint submitted by retired Army officer Captain Atul Sharma, who initially emailed his grievance to Director General of Police Ashok Tewari before recording his official statement at the Boileauganj station. Officers have initiated a formal probe and begun collecting digital records linked to the disputed content.
What Triggered the Police Complaint
According to the complaint, the controversy centres on a post published on November 10 from Ranaut’s verified account on social media platform X. The post allegedly linked the tragic deaths of former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, along with Sanjay Gandhi, to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s subsequent political rise.
In his submission, Sharma noted that the post characterised Sonia Gandhi as a “mysterious foreign national” who entered the family before relatives were killed one after another, concluding with the remark, “How convenient”. The message also referenced the alleged expulsion of Maneka Gandhi from the family residence following Sanjay Gandhi’s death. Sharma contended that such insinuations cross the boundary of legitimate political criticism and risk inciting public hostility and disturbing social harmony.
Cyber-Forensic Probe Sought Amid Political Reactions
Along with copies and direct URLs of the November 10 post, the complainant has urged police to preserve electronic metadata and conduct a time-bound cyber-forensic examination to authenticate the material and trace its digital dissemination.
At A Glance
Himachal Pradesh Police registered an FIR against BJP MP Kangana Ranaut over social media posts targeting the Gandhi family.
The case was lodged at the Boileauganj police station in Shimla under Sections 196, 353, and 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
The police action follows a formal complaint submitted by retired Army officer Captain Atul Sharma.
The controversy centres on a post published on November 10 from Ranaut’s verified account on the platform X.
Meanwhile, senior Himachal Pradesh Congress leaders, including Chief Minister’s Principal Advisor (Media) Naresh Chauhan, strongly condemned the Mandi MP’s remarks as irresponsible and divisive. Ranaut and her office have yet to issue an official response regarding the registration of the FIR as investigators proceed with verifying the electronic evidence.
Quick Answers
Ask News18Himachal Pradesh Police booked BJP MP Kangana Ranaut following a formal complaint over a social media post on X targeting Sonia Gandhi and the Gandhi family.
Ask News18About the Author
Pathikrit Sen Gupta is a Senior Associate Editor with News18.com and likes to cut a long story short. He writes sporadically on Politics, Sports, Global Affairs, Space, Entertainment, And Food. He tra…Read More
Shimla, India, India
November 14, 2026, 06:08 IST
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