Singer Sonu Nigam has approached the Karnataka High Court requesting to quash an FIR registered against him for allegedly making a controversial remark during a music concert in Bengaluru. The case stems from an incident where some members of the audience asked the singer to perform Kannada songs, leading to an exchange that has since sparked controversy.
A single-judge vacation bench led by Justice Shivashankar Amarannavar took up the matter on May 13, 2025, and scheduled it for further hearing on May 15, 2025.
The FIR against Nigam has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 351(2) for criminal intimidation, Section 352(1) for intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace, and Section 353 for making statements conducive to public mischief.
The complaint, filed by pro-Kannada organization Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, was registered at Avalahalli Police Station. The complainant, Dharma Raj Ananthaiha, alleged that the singer's response during the concert had deeply hurt the sentiments of the Kannadiga community.
It was alleged that by comparing a request to sing in Kannada with the Pahalgam terrorist attack, Sonu Nigam portrayed Kannadigas as intolerant or violent people, which goes against their image of being peace-loving and harmonious, stated the complaint.
The petition filed by Nigam seeks to quash both the complaint dated May 2, 2025, and the subsequent FIR dated May 3, 2025. Additionally, the plea requests interim relief by seeking a stay on further investigation into the case.
“The petitioner has moved the court not only to nullify the complaint and FIR but also to ensure that no further steps are taken in the investigation until the matter is decided,” stated the plea.
Following the controversy, Sonu Nigam had posted a video message on social media to explain the incident and defend his actions during the concert. In the message, he clarified his position and denied any intention to offend the sentiments of the Kannada-speaking audience.
Case Title: Sonu Nigam vs State of Karnataka
Case Number: Criminal Petition 6616/2025
