No coercive action against Sonu Nigam, says Karnataka HC
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Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Thursday granted relief to singer Sonu Nigam by directing the police not to take any coercive action against him in the controversial remarks case. The case revolves around Nigam’s alleged comments linking a demand for a Kannada song during a Bengaluru event to the terror attack in Pahalgam.
A bench led by Justice Shivashankar Amarannavar also ordered Sonu Nigam to cooperate with the ongoing investigation. The prosecution, opposing the relief, argued that the incident, which was broadcast live and received extensive media coverage, justified legal action.
An FIR was filed on May 3 under Sections 351(2) (criminal intimidation), 352 (statements inciting public mischief), and 352(1) (intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace or incite another offence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The complaint was lodged by Dharmaraj A., president of the Bengaluru City District unit of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike.
Sonu Nigam had approached the Karnataka High Court seeking quashing of the FIR registered by Karnataka Police.
The controversy began at an event held at East Point College of Engineering and Technology in Bengaluru, when a youth in the audience interrupted Nigam’s performance with a request for a Kannada song. In response, Nigam said, “I have sung in different languages. Among them, the best songs are in Kannada. Whenever I come to Karnataka, I come with a lot of love and respect. You all have treated me like family. I always sing Kannada songs when requested. I’ve been singing in Kannada longer than that particular youth’s age. But I didn’t like the way he shouted ‘Kannada, Kannada’. It is because of such behaviour that incidents like the Pahalgam attack happen.”
His remarks sparked widespread outrage, prompting several Kannada organisations to demand an unconditional apology. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) barred him from professional work within the Kannada film industry and called for an apology.
Responding to the backlash, Sonu Nigam issued an apology on Instagram, stating, “Sorry Karnataka. My love for you is bigger than my ego. Love you always.”
With IANS inputs
