Bengaluru police give Sonu deadline to appear in probe

Playback singer Sonu Nigam has been asked by Bengaluru police to appear for questioning by May 15 in connection with an FIR lodged against him for allegedly offending Kannadigas during a private event held in Bengaluru on April 25.Hearing Scheduled in Karnataka High CourtThe singer is set to appear in the Karnataka High Court on May 15 for the hearing of his petition seeking to quash the FIR filed against him. The case was heard by a vacation bench headed by Justice Shivashankar Amarannavar, who scheduled the matter for that date.FIR Filed Following Complaint by Pro-Kannada Group

The FIR lodged against the national award-winning singer stemmed from a complaint by Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), a group representing pro-Kannada organizations. They claimed that Nigam’s remarks depicted Kannadigas as intolerant, violent, and terrorists.Police Statement on Seriousness of ChargesTalking to News18, CK Baba, Superintendent of Police (Rural), Bengaluru, stated that the sections under which the FIR has been lodged are serious. He mentioned that, prima facie, there is evidence indicating that Sonu Nigam’s statements were derogatory and insulting to Kannadigas. He also added that the police will present an appropriate counter in court while continuing their investigations.Charges and Legal ProceedingsNigam faces charges under Sections 351, 352, and 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which cover criminal intimidation, intentional insult aimed at provoking a breach of peace, and making statements likely to cause public mischief. He has filed a petition seeking to dismiss both the complaint dated May 2 and the FIR registered on May 3, and has requested a temporary halt to the ongoing investigation. Although Nigam has previously performed numerous popular Kannada songs, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce has announced that the Sandalwood industry will suspend all future collaborations with him in light of the controversy.Demands by Karnataka Rakshana VedikeThe complaint said Sonu Nigam hurt the feelings and respect of the Kannadiga community. Karnataka Rakshana Vedike wrote to the Karnataka police chief asking for three things: to arrest Nigam right away, to investigate the matter carefully to stop such incidents in the future, and to take legal action against anyone who speaks badly or divides people against Kannadigas, said KRV president Narayan Gowda.