Singer Daler Mehndi has been sent to two years in jail in a human trafficking case.
The 50-year-old singer was convicted earlier today (16) and taken into custody by the Punjab Police.
"I have been granted bail. We will appeal in higher court," Daler Mehndi told reporters outside court.
A case against Mehndi and his brother Shamsher Singh were registered in 2003, accusing the duo of illegally sending people abroad disguised as members of his troupe. Between 1998 and 1999 Mehndi and Singh reportedly took about 10 people to the US and dropped them off illegally.
The Patiala police soon filed a case against the brothers stemming from a complaint filed by Bakshish Singh. It didn't take long before 35 more complaints were leveled against the brothers.
According to the complainants, the singer and his brother had taken “passage money" to help them migrate to the US "illegally", but had failed to do so.
On raiding Mehndi's offices at Connaught Place in New Delhi, Patiala police found case file of those who had paid the duo "passage money”. Mehndi had dropped off three girls from Gujarat at San Francisco and three boys at New Jersey.
Mehndi garnered massive following in the late 90s and early 2000s for his pop songs, "Tunak Tunak Tun", "Bolo Ta Ra Ra" and "Saade Naal Rahoge Toh...".
Mehndi is popular in the international music circuit as well, and in an interview with TOI, the singer said he listens to old UK Bhangra.
"I am very grateful to Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji that he has given me his blessings and that so many people have love for me.
"I love listening to the old UK Bhangra such as Bhabiye Ni Bhabiye by Chaani, Alaap, Heera, Malkit Paji, Safri Boys, I feel very happy when I listen to their songs and their style of music. I also like Sukhshinder Shinda," he said.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.