The Karnataka High Court gave singer Sonu Nigam interim relief in a case in a case, compared to his alleged comments compared to Kannadigas compared Pahgam terrorist attackers. The court directed that no action should be taken against him now, while he was asked to cooperate fully in the ongoing investigation.

Relief follows the Nigam’s petition on 14 May, demanding the cancellation of the first information report (FIR) registered at Alalli police station in Bangalore Rural District. The FIR was based on media reports and a third-party complaint, alleging that a comment made during a concert at Bengaluru College had hurt Kannadigas’s feelings.

The case was heard by a holiday bench under the leadership of Justice Shivshankar Amarnavar, which postponed the case today (15 May). Nigam’s lawyer argued that he had no intention of insulting the Kannada community and had already issued a public apology.

The government lawyer argued against the appeal, stating that the comment was made during a live event and received comprehensive media coverage. The FIR and notice were served, and the absence of Nigam from investigation was quoted as a reason to proceed with the case.

The controversy stems from the concert on 25-26 April at the East Point College of Engineering and Technology in Bangalore. During the protest, Nigam allegedly responded to the demand of a fan for a Kannada song by linking the aggressive vowel to the Pahalgam terrorist incident, alleging that he downed Kannadigas negatively.

In a viral video of the concert, the Nigam is seen stopping the middle performance to address the crowd after shouting. He expressed his respect for the Karnataka and Kannada languages, but said he felt “threatened” with the fan’s voice. 26 Recalling the Pahalgam attack that claims life, he said: “Yahi Karan is, Pahgam Pisces has happened, isn’t it? (This is the reason what happened in Pahalgam. That’s why you have done now).

In response to backlash, Nigam released a public apology, saying, “Sorry Karnataka,” and clarified that his comments were aimed at some aggressive individuals, not a broad Kannada-speaking community. “Some people reached the stage and were very aggressive, demanding a Kannada song. I told them that they could be requested with humility. I sang hundreds of Kannada songs. I was not denying,” he said later.

Following the controversy, Kannada film director K Ramnarayan announced that Nigam recorded a song for his upcoming film Kuldali Kelawoodo. The director said, “It is not enough to say that they will have to face the results.”