RANA JUNG BAHADUR Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The present petition has been moved invoking jurisdiction of this Court under Sec. 482 Cr.P.C. by the petitioner seeking quashing of (i) FIR No.67 dated 10th of June, 2022, registered for offences punishable under Ss. 295, 295-A IPC, Sec. 3 of SC/ST Act (added later) at Police Station Navi Baradri, District Jalandhar; (ii) FIR No.167 dated 11th of June, 2022 registered for the offence punishable under Sec. 295 IPC, at Police Station Cantonment, District Police Commissionerate, Amritsar and all subsequent proceedings arising thereto.

(2.) The FIR stands registered on the information supplied by one Jassi Tallan, Punjab President, Guru Ravidas, Tiger Force, Punjab alleging as under :

(3.) The FIR is based upon comments made by the petitioner while giving an interview to a Punjabi News Channel on 9th of June, 2022. The petitioner who claims to be an actor and that he has contributed to the Hindi and Punjabi Cinema having worked in more than 500 films in a career spanning over 40 years, was asked about exhibition of gun violence in cinema and its effect on youth. Responding to the said question of the reporter, the petitioner claimed that the young men are not becoming gangsters being influenced by cinema. He further claimed that social maladies like rape, dacoity etc. were prevalent in the society much before cinema came into being. In order to support his answer the petitioner further commented as under :