Police have started the process to issue a Look Out Circular (LOC) against rapper-musician Badshah to prevent him from leaving the country. The move comes a day after a case was registered against him over alleged objectionable lyrics and visuals in his recently released Haryanvi music video ‘Tateeree’.
Panchkula Police have issued a formal notice asking the rapper to appear before them immediately even as the rapper has issued an apology for the music video, calling it unintentional. Several police teams have been formed to locate and arrest him, and raids are being carried out at possible locations, Haryana Police said in a statement on Saturday.
“Considering the possibility that the accused may try to leave the country, the process to issue a Look Out Circular (LOC) against him has been initiated,” the statement said. Police on Friday registered an FIR based on a complaint filed by a Panchkula resident. The complaint alleged that the Badshah's recently released music video contains objectionable lyrics and visuals.
The case has been registered under Sections 3 and 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 and Section 296 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with obscene acts and songs.
"Taking a strict stance against the spread of objectionable content on social media and in songs, Haryana Police has initiated major action against singer Aditya Prateek Singh Sisodia, popularly known as Badshah,” the police statement said. Police also said that notices have been issued asking platforms to remove the video from all social media channels.
The Haryana State Commission for Women has also taken cognisance of the issue and issued a summons to the rapper. Police said the video shows minor girls wearing school uniforms throwing away their school bags and seemingly running away from studies.
"The use of words such as ‘Badshala’ in the song has also been found to depict the school environment and education in a misleading and inappropriate manner. Furthermore, objectionable and derogatory expressions towards women and girls have also been identified in the lyrics," it said.
Police have warned that if anyone is found creating or sharing reels or videos related to the controversial song and thereby promoting objectionable content, strict legal action will be taken against them.
Authorities are also examining whether the makers of the video obtained proper permission to film scenes that appear to show a government school campus and a Haryana Roadways bus from the Jind depot. If it is found that the required approvals were not taken, legal action will be initiated, police said.
On Friday, Haryana Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda said the government has taken note of the music video. He described the portrayal of schoolgirls and the way “our culture is shown” in the song as condemnable.
Also read: FIR registered against Badshah in Punjab
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