Mansa court gives Sidhu Moosewala's father time to file reply in BBC documentary case

A local court in Mansa on Tuesday directed Balkaur Singh, father of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, to file his response by July 21, after he again failed to submit it, even as the BBC and its two employees filed their written statement in the documentary case.

The directive was issued in connection with an application filed by the BBC World Service and its employees, challenging the maintainability of the suit filed by Balkaur regarding a documentary on the late singer.

In their plea, the respondents had argued on June 16 that the Mansa court lacks jurisdiction, as neither the cause of action nor any connecting factor lies within the district.

Following this, the court had directed Balkaur to submit his reply by June 23. However, he had failed to do so.

In the meantime, the BBC and its employees submitted their written statement on Tuesday, asserting that Moosewala was a public figure and the documentary was produced accordingly. “We have submitted the written statement to the court, primarily highlighting that the slain singer was a public personality and that the case is not maintainable before this court,” said advocate Gurdas Mann, counsel for the two BBC employees.

Earlier, Balkaur had approached the court seeking a stay on the documentary, alleging that it was produced without the family’s consent and could hurt their sentiments. Acting on his petition, the court had initially directed the BBC to file a reply by June 16.

Two episodes of the documentary – reportedly depicting events from Moosewala’s life and his untimely death – titled ‘The Killing Call’, were released on June 11, coinciding with the singer’s birth anniversary.

Sidhu Moosewala was shot dead on May 29, 2022, at Jawaharke village here.