Bengaluru Police to move High Court against Sonu Nigam for ignoring investigation notices in Concert remarks row

Bengaluru Police to move High Court against Sonu Nigam for ignoring investigation notices in Concert remarks row

The Avalahalli police in Bengaluru are preparing to move the Karnataka High Court against singer Sonu Nigam, alleging non-cooperation in an ongoing case linked to his controversial remarks during a concert. Sources indicate that the police will also consult the Advocate General on whether the interim protection granted to Sonu Nigam should be vacated.

The controversy began at a music event under Avalahalli police jurisdiction when an audience member repeatedly requested Sonu Nigam to sing a Kannada song.

In response, the singer allegedly linked the demand to the Pahalgam terror attack, a comment that drew sharp criticism from Kannada cultural groups. The remark quickly snowballed into a political and cultural flashpoint, sparking protests across the city.

On May 3, the Avalahalli police registered an FIR against Nigam under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including sections dealing with criminal intimidation, intentional insult, and public mischief. The FIR alleged that the singer’s remarks had the potential to disturb public order and hurt sentiments.

Sonu Nigam moved swiftly to counter the case. On May 14, he filed a petition before the Karnataka High Court seeking to quash the complaint and the FIR.

The court granted him interim relief, directing the police not to take coercive steps against him as long as he cooperated with the investigation.

The order also restrained police from filing a final report until further hearings. As part of the relief, Sonu Nigam was permitted to record his statement either through video conferencing or in person, provided he bore the cost of the investigating officer’s travel.

Despite these conditions, the police allege that Sonu Nigam has failed to comply. Officials say he has ignored at least three notices sent to him, prompting them to escalate the matter.

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According to sources, the Avalahalli police now intend to ask the High Court to vacate the protection order, which would allow them to pursue the investigation more aggressively. They will also seek guidance from the Advocate General on the legal pathway for challenging the interim relief.

The matter is likely to come up in the High Court’s next hearing, where both sides will present their arguments. Until then, the standoff between the Bengaluru police and one of India’s most prominent playback singers remains unresolved, keeping the controversy alive in both legal and cultural circles.