Sonu Nigam moves Karnataka HC seeking quashing of criminal case over Kannada remark

Singer Sonu Nigam has petitioned the Karnataka High Court to dismiss the criminal case filed against him for his alleged offensive remarks during a Bengaluru concert. The High Court has scheduled the hearing for May 15.

A complaint was lodged at the Avalahalli police station, accusing Nigam of hurting the sentiments of the Kannadiga community during his performance at East Point College on April 25-26. The police, who are investigating the matter, have issued a notice to the singer, requiring his appearance for questioning.

The FIR, registered on May 3, was based on a complaint by the pro-Kannada organization Karnataka Rakshana Vedike and one of its members, Dharma Raj Ananthaiha. The complaint alleges that Nigam's comments compared a request to sing a Kannada song with the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, portraying Kannadigas as intolerant or violent. Ananthaiha claimed that these remarks caused significant distress in society.

Sonu Nigam has been charged under Sections 351, 352, and 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for criminal intimidation, intentional insult to provoke a breach of peace, and making statements that could cause public disturbance. His petition seeks to quash both the initial complaint and the FIR. He has also requested a temporary stay on further investigation.

The controversy arose when Nigam reportedly refused to sing in Kannada at the concert, leading to an altercation with some audience members. In a subsequent video message, he clarified his position, stating that a group of young individuals had aggressively demanded he sing in Kannada while he was performing Hindi songs.

Nigam later issued a public statement expressing his deep affection for Karnataka and its people, asserting that his words had been misinterpreted.
*This news appeared on India TV on 14th May 2025

 

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