Patiala, October 3
Charges were finally framed today against the pop singer Daler Mehndi in the court of Parminder Singh Rai, judicial magistrate (first class), Patiala, in the case of duping youth on the pretext of sending them abroad.
Charges have been framed against Daler Mehndi in a case registered against him by the Patiala police on September 19, 2003, on a complaint of two local youths. They have alleged to have been duped by Daler and his brother on the pretext of sending them abroad. They alleged that Daler and his brother charged lakhs from them, but failed to send them aboard. He allegedly also did not return the money taken from them.
Later, about 30 more complainants levelled similar
allegations against the pop singer and his brother.
Counsel for complainant Gurpreet Singh told The Tribune that the court today ordered the framing of charges against Daler Mehndi, his brother Shamsher Mehndi and others under Sections 420, 467 and 120-B, IPC. The court has upheld the 30 complaints that were attached along with the first charge sheet filed by the police in the court.
Daler Mehndi was present in the court today while the charges were framed against him.
The charges have been framed against Daler and others in the case after a period of about three years. The case took many twists and turns during this period.
The case against Daler was registered during the stint of former SSP Paramraj Singh Umranangal. After the registration of the case, Daler moved anticipatory bail applications at various courts in Delhi. His applications were, however, rejected. On October 23, 2003 the Delhi High Court directed Daler to join investigation.
He joined investigation of October 27, 2003. However, soon after, the police accused him of non-cooperation with the investigating officials. His surety bonds were forfeited.
He remained in police custody in December 2003 before he was granted regular bail.
However, after Paramraj Singh Umranangal was shifted as SSP, Patiala, the police took a U-turn in the case. Allegations about involvement of the coterie of former CM made the rounds.
The police, that had filed a complaint against him, filed discharge application in the court, maintaining that there was no concrete evidence against Daler Mehndi. The prosecuting judge, however, did not take cognisance of the discharge application of the police and ordered the summoning of Daler Mehndi.
Daler once again challenged his summoning orders in the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge, Patiala. He pleaded that since the police had already filed discharge application, he could not be summoned. His summoning was, however, upheld by the court.
He had to present himself in the court of judicial magistrate who ordered framing of charges against him today.
