Daler sings, police not impressed

A memorable experience.’’ That is how the beleaguered popstar, Daler Mehndi, summed up his six-hour interrogation at the Sadar Pol...

A memorable experience.’’ That is how the beleaguered popstar, Daler Mehndi, summed up his six-hour interrogation at the Sadar Police Station here this evening. ‘‘I even belted out a couple of songs,’’ he said, before disappearing into his car. SSP P.S. Umranangal, however, sang a different tune, and said police were not satisfied with Daler’s replies, and had asked him to come back tomorrow.

The popstar, who joined the investigations around 11.30 in the morning, was let off around 6 pm. Looking relaxed, he claimed that the Special Investigating Team (SIT), which had interrogated him, was satisfied with his replies, and he would join the investigations again tomorrow or day after.

Daler sings during grilling

PATIALA: Daler Mehndi on Monday said he sang 4-5 songs during his interrogation at Sadar Police Station. Speaking to mediapersons at Bahadurgarh, Daler said: ‘‘The police attitude (towards him) was good… I am thankful to them,’’ adding ‘‘they had genuine regard for me … I sang 4-5 songs for them.’’ Sadar Police Station SHO Shamsher Singh confirmed that Daler did sing Main dardi rab rab kardi. (Agencies)

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Doing a volte-face on his demand for a CBI probe earlier, Daler said he would not press for it if the Punjab Police are satisfied with his cooperation. He also went back on his previous statement that police had demanded a sum of Rs 1.5 crore from him, and attributed it to some misunderstanding.

Minutes after Daler left for Delhi, Umranangal said the SIT was not satisfied with the answers given by him, and may even seek court orders for his custodial interrogation. He added that Daler had confessed to ‘‘a business relationship with brother Shamsher.’’ Daler also has a joint bank account with younger brother Amrik Singh, better known as Mika. Umranangal said Mika, who is also a singer, could be called in for the investigation.

His lawyers Ravinder Kumar and Anand Parkash said they had furnished a bail bond for Rs 5 lakh and a personal surety of the like amount to the investigating officer.

The two lawyers, who left the police station after about two hours, told mediapersons that they apprehended threat to the life and property of Daler as well as their own in view of the hostile crowds. The counsel demanded that the case be handed over to the CBI as the complainants belonged to different states. They said they did not think Daler could be arrested as the Delhi High Court had clubbed all the cases, numbering 31, while granting him interim bail. ‘‘The HC has stayed Daler’s arrest till November 1 and as such he can not be arrested,’’ said Ravinder Kumar.

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When pointed out that another case under Section 506 of the IPC had been registered against Daler on the basis of a threatening call made to an Assistant Sub-Inspector on October 9, the counsel said they would seek legal remedy if Daler is arrested in any other case.

BHANGRA KING DANCES TO MOB FURY

• A seemingly cheerful Daler Mehndi, in a black suit, pink turban and a string of crystal beads, paid obeisance at the historic Gurdwara Dukhnivaran Sahib before going for police interrogation. Perhaps he was praying to the Almighty for nivaran of his dukh. He was accompanied by his lawyers and brother Mika. From there, while Daler and his lawyers proceeded to the police station, Mika preferred to move around in his luxury vehicle. It is another matter that once at the police station, it was clear God hadn’t quite answered Daler’s prayers!

• For mediapersons, the day began on a pensive note. There were reports that Daler would go to the courts while othrs claimed the singer would present himself at the Sadar Police Station. Finally, there was a mad scramble to Gurdwara Dukhniwaran as news of his visit there came in. Once there, Mika, who was holding fort, said Daler had already left.

• Meanwhile, Mika interacted with the mediapersons outside Gurdwara Dukhnivaran, whilst sitting in his car. Vouching for his brother’s innocence, he claimed Daler would come out unscathed . He said the case should be handed over to the CBI since it had roots in other states.

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• The singer must have been taken off guard. Used to having crowds cheering him during his performances, the singer faced angry mobs as he arrived at the Sadar Police Station here. As soon as his Mercedes approached, a hostile mob went hysterical. The crowd threw missiles at his car, a splash of Plaster of Paris paste got stuck on the windscreen of his vehicle. Police also remained silent spectators all the while as the protestors had a free run. They kept following the vehicle as it crawled to the police station covering the distance of about less than 200 yards in over 20 minutes. Daler’s counsel alleged the protestors were acting at the instance of the local police.

• Inside the police station., protestors had a field day. They were also provided free food by the men in khaki. A group of women performed a mock siapa (mourning), much to the amusement of the police personnel present there.

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