The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday heard Ranveer Singh`s plea to quash the FIR against him over his remarks about the film Kantara during a speech at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. During the hearing, the court criticised the actor for hurting religious sentiments while granting him interim relief.
Karnataka HC slams Ranveer Singh
Justice M Nagaprasanna, on Tuesday, noted that Singh`s reference to the film`s depiction of Chamundi Devi and his mimicry of the deity during the event in December had hurt a community`s sentiments.
Justice Nagaprasanna said, “You may be Ranveer Singh or anybody. You can`t be loose-tongued at all! We will see if there is mens rea (guilty intent). But you being an actor, you have influence on so many people. You have to be responsible. If you are speaking about a deity (you have to do your research), you can`t call it a ghost. You have no right to hurt anybody`s religious sentiments. You have apologised, but will your apology take back all the words? When actors go on stages and try to do all this, you should exercise restraint. Without having knowledge, you can`t say anything. You can`t take it so lightly. Super star is not upar (above) law, sir.”
Senior Advocate Sajan Poovayya, who represented Singh, admitted that the Dhurandhar actor made insensitive remarks, but questioned if he must continue to face the rigours of a criminal case when there was no intention to hurt anyone`s sentiments. “I admit, a completely insensitive statement made by me at a formal occasion led to a complaint being filed. I am willing to do everything that could undo my recklessness,” the Counsel stated.
Justice Nagaprasanna countered the argument, saying that being an actor with influence, Singh is expected to be more restrained. The judge opined that Singh should not have commented on a deity before doing his research, while further questioning if a mere apology could undo the effect of his comments.
Later, the judge directed the State to file its objections in the matter, and adjourned the case till next week.
“You (State) file your objections, I will hear it on Monday. But don`t take coercive steps. He is admitting he was reckless. You (Ranveer Singh) are reckless. And you have no right to do what you have done. No person in the garb of talent, comedy show has right to hurt religious sentiments or dignity of others,” the judge noted.
Karnataka HC grants interim relief to Ranveer Singh
The Court also agreed to grant Singh interim relief on his plea to quash the criminal case filed against him till the next hearing, provided that the actor cooperates with the investigation.
The interim order was passed after Justice Nagaprasanna took note of submissions that Singh had apologised for his comments and was willing to do everything to “undo his recklessness.”
The case emerged following a speech made by Singh, wherein he praised actor Rishab Shetty for his performance in Kantara: Chapter 1. While appreciating Shetty, Singh referred to a deity as a “female ghost” and also mimicked Shetty’s performance as the daiva.
