Punjabi singer moves high court for anticipatory bail in rape case

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today fixed January 23 for the state of Punjab to furnish a status report, while taking up an anticipatory bail plea filed by a “renowned” Punjabi singer facing allegations of rape and other offences. The case was registered under Sections 376, 406, and 420 of the IPC in November last year at the NRI police station under Jalandhar Commissionerate. Justice Namit Kumar of the high court also issued notice of motion to the state and other respondents on the plea.

In his petition placed before Justice Kumar, the singer contended that the FIR was lodged after an unjustifiable delay of 18 years from the alleged first occurrence in 2006 and six years since the last alleged incident in 2018. The petitioner added that the complainant, a 45-year-old Canadian citizen, was an educated and mature individual married in 1999. This, the singer submitted, made her claim of being exploited under the pretext of marriage highly improbable and untenable.

He also alleged that the complainant’s version was false and concocted. Besides, she did not report the alleged incidents to the police or any other authority all these years. “The prosecutrix is a mature and educated lady of about 45 years and is living in a developed country, Canada, however alleging sexual assault since 2006. The non-disclosure of this incident either to the police or any agency for such a long period of time makes the version of the prosecutrix improbable and false,” he submitted, adding that she was in business of contract marriages to take the persons abroad.

The petitioner added he was a public figure with a significant fan base in Punjab and abroad. He argued that the allegations were baseless and intended to tarnish his reputation. He expressed willingness to join the investigation, comply with any conditions imposed by the court, and undertake not to tamper with evidence.

The petition added the petitioner was not having prior criminal record and was not involved in any other case. He sought interim anticipatory bail during the pendency of the petition. Justice Kumar will consider the matter again on January 23 after reviewing the state’s status report.