Cancellation Report In 2013 FIR Against Yo Yo Honey Singh For Allegedly Singing Obscene Song, Is Pending Approval: Punjab Govt. To High Court

The Punjab Government has submitted before the Punjab & Haryana High Court, that a cancellation report has been prepared and is pending approval of the higher Authorities, in a plea seeking the quashing of an FIR lodged in 2013 against singer Honey Singh for allegedly singing an obscene song.

Taking note of the submission, Justice Jasjit Singh Bedi said, "the present petition is rendered infructuous. However, in case at subsequent stage if the report under Section 173(2) CrPC inculpating the petitioner is to be filed, he shall be given 07 days notice in order to avail the remedies available to him in accordance with law."

Honey Singh was booked under Section 294 IPC in 2013 for allegedly singing an obscene song, which was uploaded on YouTube by an anonymous user. 

The FIR was registered after a writ petition was filed by an organisation "Human Empowerment League of Punjab", seeking directions to state to frame guidelines to examine the feasibility of setting up some effective mechanism for curbing the menace of obscene and vulgar songs in Punjab.

The petition had also alleged that Honey Singh had sung an obscene song insulting women and therefore he was arraigned as a respondent.

Honey Singh then appeared before the Court and submitted a written statement where he categorically denied all the allegations and stated that he strongly condemned the lyrics of the song.

Considering the submission, the Court had disposed of the plea stating that, "It is for the State Government to examine whether it would like to set up any authority for checks and balances qua this issue. Of course, the best way is to shut off and not listen to such an offending music."

Thereafter, a petition was filed under Section 482 CrPC for quashing of the FIR. It was argued that the song was not sung by him and he had no relation with the same.

"His music compositions have been embraced by the masses making him one of the most popular singer of this era. However, the burgeoning success and popularity of the petitioner has now gone against him as now he has been made a victim of his success by filing frivolous complaints and that FIR alleging that he has sung a song "Mai Hoon Balatkaari" which had has no relation which this song in any manner whatsoever," the plea added.

It was further submitted that the petitioner has been made a victim of a conspiracy designed to defame him by certain unknown persons who have created a media hype about the said song being sung by him.

Senior Anmol Rattan Singh Sidhu, assisted by Advocate Gursher Singh Dhillon appeared for the Petitioner.

Ramta K Chaudhary, Deputy Advocate General, Punjab.

Sunaina, Advocate for respondent no.2.

Gurmeet Kaur Gill, Senior Panel Counsel for respondent no.3-UOI.

Case Title: Sh. Hirdesh Singh@ Yo Yo Honey Singh v. State of Punjab and another