Singer Daler Mehendi got convicted of human trafficking charges and has been granted bail immediately after the verdict as well. The Patiala court in Punjab passed the judgement on Friday morning sentencing him to 2 years of imprisonment. The singer told media that he will appeal in higher court but for now he is proven guilty with all the evidences raising fingers at his involvement.
The case has been under judiciary for a long time now as it was filed back in 2003 and has been under investigation since then. Here is everything you need to know about the case:
How it all started: Back in 2003, it was alleged that Daler and his brother Shamsher Singh were misusing their two troupes which were formed in 1998 and 1999. Reports also suggest that 10 people in their troupe were illegaly dropped off in United States Of America. 3 girls were dropped off in San Francisco while on a trip with the singer and an actress. Later in October 1999, the two brothers went on another trip to the US and they dropped 3 boys in New Jersey.
Complaint: A case was registered with Patiala Police against Daler Mehndi and Shamsher by Bakshish Singh. Almost 35 more complaints came up and flagged the issue of fraud against the two brother. The complaints allegedly mentioned that the two brother were taking money to help people migrate to the US illegally but had failed to do so. Patiala Police even raided the offices of Daler Mehndi in the capital city and seized which proved them guilty.
Investigation: In 2006, Patiala Police filed two discharge petitions stating Daler Mehndi to be innocent but the court said the singer needs to be prosecuted as there were “sufficient evidence against him on the judicial file and scope for further investigation”.
Verdict: Although court in Patiala has convicted Daler in the case but the singer will appeal in higher court.
