Sonu Nigam moves High Court to quash FIR over Bengaluru concert remark

Bengaluru: Playback singer Sonu Nigam has approached the Karnataka High Court seeking quashing of a First Information Report lodged against him for allegedly making objectionable remarks that purportedly hurt the sentiments of the Kannadiga community during a recent music concert in the city.

A vacation bench of Justice Shivashankar Amarannavar heard the matter on Tuesday and posted it for further hearing on May 15.

The FIR was registered at Avalahalli Police Station based on a complaint filed by pro-Kannada organisation Karnataka Rakshana Vedike.

The complainant alleged that Nigam equated a demand by members of the audience to sing Kannada songs with the Pahalgam terrorist attack, thereby portraying Kannadigas as intolerant and violent.

The singer has been booked under Sections 351(2) (criminal intimidation), 352(1) (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), and 353 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

In his petition, Nigam has sought quashing of the complaint dated May 2 and the FIR registered on May 3. He has also prayed for interim relief in the form of a stay on further investigation in the matter.

Later, in a video statement released on social media, the singer clarified his stance and defended his comments, stating that they were misconstrued.