A court in Delhi has rejected an application by a leading pop singer,
**Daler Mehndi, ** :bhangra: for bail in the event of him being held by police. Mr Mehndi has been accused, together with his brother, of involvement in trafficking illegal immigrants.
He has denied the charge.
The judge said Mr Mehndi was facing serious charges and therefore it was necessary for him to be held in custody for questioning.
His brother Shamsher is already under arrest and correspondents say the court verdict clears the way for police to take Daler into custody as well.
I never liked that Paindu in the first place.
But once again, it is India, he will get away just like how Salman Khan was let off after murdering someone.
Mr Mehndi phoned a TV station to declare his innocence
A court in northern India has issued a warrant for the arrest of Punjabi pop star Daler Mehndi in connection with an alleged illegal immigration racket.
The police accuse Mr Mehndi, his brother and five others of defrauding hopeful migrants out of sums ranging from $25,000 to $30,000.
Both Daler Mehndi and brother Shamsher Singh, who was arrested on 6 October, deny the allegations.
Mr Mehndi told an Indian TV station in a call from an undisclosed location: “I am innocent and will be found innocent. I was busy with my work, and not on the run.”
He said he should be given an award for popularising Punjabi music rather than being harassed.
Associate targeted
Police had earlier raided Mr Mehndi’s farmhouse on the outskirts of Delhi.
A senior police official told the BBC’s Asit Jolly that the singer had so far failed to voluntarily aid investigations.
According to police, would-be migrants were told they would be taken on tours to Western nations disguised as dancers in Mr Mehndi’s bhangra troupe
Officials confirmed a police team had raided the home of a key associate of the singer in the western Indian city of Bombay, also known as Mumbai.
Various materials were taken from the residence of Rakesh Kaushal, also known as Rocky, who was believed to have promoted Mr Mehndi’s overseas tours.
Police say they have received 17 complaints in the case.
:bhangra:
