Singers, actor skip CP summons over song

Summoned by the Commissioner of Police (CP) after a complaint was filed against their song “315 bore”, Punjabi singers R Nait and Gurlez Akhtar and actor Bhana Sidhu failed to turn up at the CP office today. Jalandhar-based activist Simranjit Singh had filed a complaint against them, alleging there was a “display of weapons” and glorification of a “dangerous gangster image” in the song.

The CP had issued summons to Nait, Akhtar and Sidhu on August 13 to record their statements. They had been asked to appear before the CP at 12 noon on Saturday.

The activist had written to the Additional Chief Secretary (Department of Homes, Affairs & Justice), the DGP and the CP on August 9, seeking registration of an FIR against Nait and Akhtar. He had also sought a ban on the song on all social media platforms.

The video of the song, which was released two weeks ago, has already amassed 4.1 million views on YouTube.

In his letter, the activist had complained that the state government had already issued instructions that no singer or artiste should promote the display of weapons or gangster mentality.

While the singers or their representatives failed to turn up today, the activist submitted photographs and screen grabs (of the song’s video), showing arms, liquor, cigarettes and drugs. He also submitted the downloaded song on a pen drive.

Investigating officer ACP Amar Nath said, “None of the members of the parties against whom the complaint had been made appeared today. Summons shall be issued to them again on the matter. The complainant, however, appeared and submitted some additional material to the police.”