Daler Mehndi

Earlier today, pop star Daler Mehndi was convicted in 2003 human trafficking case. He was sentenced to two years in jail. The police had registered a case against Daler and others after it was alleged that the accused took money from people to the tune of Rs 1 crore on the pretext of taking them abroad. A complainant, Bakhshish Singh, alleged that the deal never matured and the accused failed to return the money. The case was registered in 2003 in Patiala. Daler was subsequently arrested and released on bail after a few days. And minutes after his conviction he was granted bail. Also read: Minutes after conviction in human trafficking case, Daler Mehndi granted bail

In 2003 when Daler was first arrested for human trafficking, it was alleged that he was asked to remove his trousers and sing songs by cops during interrogation. A report in Tribune India had stated that he was asked to pull down his pants so that the cops can ascertain if there were any identification marks or not. This was done to fulfill the condition of "kursinama" formality. Which states that all the relevant details about the accused should be recorded. Also read: Singer Daler Mehndi sentenced to 2 years in jail in 2003 human trafficking case

Daler too had confirmed the same to TNS. He had stated then,

Mainu bahut gussa aiya but when I was told that this was a necessary formality, I took off my trousers.

It was also revealed that Daler Mehndi was asked to croon his songs during the investigation which also comprises of superintendent of police. He revealed that he sang several of his hit tracks for them. He told,

I am not mad that I should sing songs of my own accord. They told me they were my fans and that I should sing for them which I did.

15 years after his first interrogation Daler Mehndi was convicted today. An official statement from him is awaited.