Sonu Nigam Moves Karnataka High Court to Quash FIR Over Alleged Remarks at Bengaluru Concert

Bollywood playback singer Sonu Nigam has moved the Karnataka High Court, seeking to quash an FIR filed against him for allegedly making objectionable comments during a concert held at East Point College in Bengaluru on April 25–26.

The FIR, registered at Avalahalli police station on May 3, was based on a complaint by pro-Kannada organization Karnataka Rakshana Vedike and its member Dharma Raj Ananthaiha. The complaint accuses Nigam of equating a request from the audience to sing a Kannada song with a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, thereby portraying Kannadigas as intolerant or violent.

Nigam has been booked under Sections 351, 352, and 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertain to criminal intimidation, intentional insult intended to provoke breach of peace, and public mischief.

The matter was heard by a vacation bench of Justice Shivashankar Amarannavar on Tuesday, May 13. The court has posted the case for further hearing on May 15. In his petition, Nigam has also sought a stay on further investigation as interim relief.

The controversy erupted when Nigam reportedly refused to sing a Kannada song during the event, which allegedly led to a verbal confrontation with some audience members. In a subsequent video message, the singer clarified that he was threatened by a group while he was performing Hindi songs, and insisted his comments were misunderstood.

Expressing regret over the incident, Nigam later issued a statement affirming his respect and affection for Karnataka and the Kannada-speaking community.

Stay tuned for updates as the legal proceedings unfold.