The Bombay High Court has permitted actor and MP Kangana Ranaut to withdraw her petition seeking to quash a 2021 FIR registered at Khar police station, Mumbai, in connection with the ‘Didda’ film dispute. The development was recorded on February 25, 2026, when her side sought permission to withdraw the fresh plea, effectively ending the High Court challenge through that petition.
Counsel for the complainant author Ashish Kaul also pointed out that Ranaut had filed a similar quashing petition in 2021 which had been partly heard, and that the fresh petition carried identical prayers without withdrawing the earlier one.
Background of the Controversy
The FIR stems from a complaint by author Ashish Kaul, who claims exclusive copyright over the storyline in his book on Queen Didda (also translated into Hindi as Kashmir Ki Yodhha Rani Didda). Kaul alleged that portions of the story were used in a social media post/tweet when a film — reportedly titled Manikarnika Returns: The Legend of Didda — was announced, allegedly without his permission.
The FIR was registered pursuant to a magistrate court direction, and the police have also filed a chargesheet in the case, as reported.
As per earlier reporting on the FIR, the case was registered under IPC Sections 406, 415, 418, 120B and 34, read with Copyright Act Sections 51, 63 and 63A.
What the Withdrawal Means
By withdrawing the quashing petition, Ranaut has opted not to press that plea before the Bombay High Court. This does not mean the FIR is quashed or the case is closed. The criminal case can continue before the appropriate court unless the FIR is separately quashed or otherwise disposed of through future legal proceedings.
Ongoing Context
Reports note the matter is pending before the Bandra Metropolitan Magistrate Court.
-By Manoj H