Bengaluru police notice to Sonu Nigam over alleged comments on Kannada songs

BENGALURU: Avalahalli police in Bengaluru Rural district on Monday issued a notice to Mumbai-based playback singer Sonu Nigam, asking him to appear before the investigating officer next week.
Last Saturday, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against Nigam on charges of hurting the sentiments of Kannadigas by comparing the request for Kannada songs to the Pahalgam massacre. The incident took place during an event at a private college at Hirandahalli in Bidarahalli. A set of audience members demanded Nigam sing Kannada songs, to which the singer reportedly reacted: "Similar attitude resulted in the Pahalgam incident."

Police booked Nigam under BNS section 352 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), 351 (2) (Whoever commits the offence of criminal intimidation shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with a fine, or with both), and 353 (Statements conducing to public mischief).
CK Baba, superintendent of police, Bengaluru Rural, said they directed Sonu Nigam to appear before police next week. "The legal notice will reach him in a couple of days, and he's given ample time to appear before us," he said.
Meanwhile, another officer said they summoned the organisers of the event to Avalahalli police station. "They are expected anytime. We will take details of the event and the incident from them. Also, we have sent the copy of the video showing Nigam making the alleged comments to the forensic science laboratory for authentication," he said.