Punjab & Haryana High Court Refuses Relief To YouTuber Rattandeep Singh Dhaliwal Challenging AAP MLAs' Complaints

The Punjab & Haryana High Court on Thursday (July 2) refused to grant relief to journalist and YouTuber Rattandeep Singh Dhaliwal challenging multiple complaints lodged against him by AAP MLAs.

On May 21, Dhaliwal in his podcast said that about 32 sitting MLAs might not be considered as party candidates for the upcoming Punjab assembly elections. Following this, various MLAs filed police complaints against him and various notices were issued to him by the police of different districts in Punjab.

Justice Aman Chaudhary refused to grant any relief and said Dhaliwal may move an appropriate representation to the Director General of Police, Punjab.

During the hearing the Court asked the petitioner, "What kind of journalist are you?". To this, counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has a good number of followers on Youtube.

The Court then orally said, "Tell me your qualification. Nowadays everybody has followers...it is easy to get followers." It further asked, "What is your source of income?"

To this the petitioner responded that he has done Journalism and his source of income is Youtube.

The Court observed that once the petitioner had published the impugned content and the concerned MLAs belonged to different constituencies, complaints were bound to follow. It further observed that if no action was taken on such complaints, the police would be at fault. The Court asked the petitioner to join the inquiry, observing that the inquiry was in his own interest. 

Senior counsel for the petitioner submitted that there is no statutory provision empowering the police to conduct any inquiry prior to the registration of an FIR. It was further submitted that more than 30 notices have been issued to the petitioner and that he has been called to appear at different places, making it impossible for him to join the inquiry. It was contended that the police is harassing the petitioner and, therefore, he deserves protection from coercive action.

Advocate General Maninderjit Singh Bedi, appearing for the State, submitted that it would be contrary to law to grant blanket protection when the matter is at such a nascent stage, particularly when the petitioner is merely being called upon to present his version during the inquiry. It was further submitted that there was no occasion for the petitioner to approach the Court at this stage.

Dhaliwal operates online platforms under the names “Rattandeep Singh Dhaliwal” and “Talk with Rattan". In the present case, the controversy arose from a podcast aired by him in May 2026, wherein he discussed the upcoming 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.

The plea sought stay of proceeding in all complaints arising out of the podcast and challenges the multiple inquiries and summons.

Senior Adv RS Bains appeared for the petitioner

AG Maninderjit Singh Bedi appeared for the State

Title: RATTANDEEP SINGH DHALIWAL V/S STATE OF PUNJAB