Bengaluru: Sonu Nigam had given a controversial statement on the request to sing in Kannada at a music event. In which he said that this is the reason for Pahalgam. After which a complaint was filed against him. But the singer has got some relief from the court. On May 15, the Karnataka High Court directed that no punitive action will be taken against singer Sonu Nigam till the next hearing. The court also allowed the singer to appear through video conferencing for recording his statement by the investigating officer (IO). If the IO insists on appearing in person, the court said that the officer himself should go and meet Sonu Nigam.
What is the matter?
This case is of a complaint filed after an incident at a music event, where some Kannada fans requested Nigam to sing in Kannada. On this, Sonu Nigam said in a soft tone that, ‘This is the reason for Pahalgam’. He made a controversial comparison of it with the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. After which a complaint was filed against him. During the hearing, Nigam’s lawyer Dhananjay Vidyapati argued that the complaint was filed only for publicity and the alleged offence of public mischief under section 505 of the IPC does not stand.
To this, the state’s lawyer said, “Whether this comment was made intentionally or not, it cannot be decided under section 482 (CrPC). He has not cooperated in the investigation. He could have at least said that he was busy”. He further said, “A person who does not respect the due process of law cannot be given the benefit under 482. He is not a common man and that is why he should not give such a statement”.
When the court asked why Nigam’s statement could not be recorded virtually or at his home, the state objected and said that doing so would be tantamount to giving too much convenience to the singer. After this, the court said, “If you want his presence, then you go to his house and record his statement. Sonu Nigam will bear the expenses”. The court recorded the state’s plea that no punitive action would be taken if the corporations cooperated in the investigation. It also stayed the filing of any final report in the case till the next hearing.
