HC disposes of plea against Honey Singh

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana high court on Thursday made it clear that it is for the Punjab government to decide whether to set up a mechanism or authority for screening vulgar or obscene songs, and for stopping the misuse of information technology by uploading such songs on internet etc.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice A G Masih also asked the state government to decide what "checks and balances" should be incorporated in such a mechanism.

The bench has passed these orders while disposing of a petition filed by Nawanshahr-based NGO 'Help' seeking directives to Punjab government to examine the feasibility of setting up some effective mechanism for screening vulgar and obscene songs before they are played before public. It was following this petition, a criminal case was registered against Punjab rap singer Honey Singh for allegedly singing a song "Mein Hun Balatkari...."

When the matter came up for hearing on Thursday, Honey Singh was also present before the court. His counsel Anmol Rattan Singh submitted before the bench that "Honey Singh has fallen victim to his own celebrity status". He contended that the controversial song has not been sung by him. It appears that some other "Honey Singh" or some other person, impersonating his client, has sung that song.