Top Singer Sentenced To 2 Years Jail In Human Trafficking Case

A Patiala court has sentenced popular Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi for 2 years of jail in a human trafficking case of 2003. As per the case, Daler and brother illegally sent people abroad by showing them as troupe people.

In the FIR 19 years ago, Daler and his brother Shamsher Singh were accused of taking money to illegally send the members to abroad via troupe route in 1998 and 1999. They were claimed under Indian Penal Code’s sections for human trafficking and conspiracy besides Indian Passport Act. Both got 2 years jail terms from a judicial magistrate’s court in 2018, but they were released on bail and registered appeals.

The police had earlier moved 2 petitions before the court stating that Daler Mehndi was not required in the case as he had nothing to do with the immigration fraud, called kabootarbaazi meaning flying pigeons referring to the no of youth in Punjab trying to use illegal means to settle abroad.

In 2003, Patiala police filed a case against Daler and Shamsher, on a complaint registered by one Bakshish Singh; 35 more complaints came up leveling charges of fraud against both the brothers.

Today, the Additional District and Sessions Judge HS Grewal dismissed Daler Mehndi’s appeal and the judge HS Grewal ordered the immediate arrest of the singer.