Mumbai: The Bombay High Court, while ruling in favour of actor Kangana Ranaut and against BMC, also laid down what it termed in its judgment as a “much required clarification.” “We make it clear that this court does not countenance unauthorized construction and also does not approve of loose and irresponsible statements against any individual, authority or government,” said the bench of Justices Shahrukh Kathawalla and Riyaz Chagla.

“We do not accept as true any of the statements or allegations made by the petitioner (Ranaut) through her tweets with regard to the alleged prevailing atmosphere in the state or the state police or against the film industry. If anything, we are of the view that the petitioner should be better advised to exercise restraint when 'as a public-spirited person,' she airs her views regarding issues of public importance on social media platforms,” said the judges.

But the HC noted, “We must, however, hasten to add that the subject matter of the controversy in the present petition or, indeed, of the order of demolition on the part of BMC and its officers is not the tweets of the petitioner but action on the part of an arm of the state whilst dealing with a citizen.”