New Delhi: Popular singer Sonu Nigam on Monday was manhandled allegedly by the members of Shiv Sena (UBT) amid a performance in the Chembur area in Mumbai.
According to media reports, Nigam was performing when the son of a local MLA, reportedly associated with Shiv Sena (UBT) misbehaved with the 'Abhi mujhme kahin' singer's manager. The alleged person asked the singer's manager to get off the stage and when Nigam was getting down the stage, the accused ended up pushing the singer.
According to reports, the individual also pushed Nigam's friend, and both have suffered injuries.
Talking to ABP News, a source close to the singer said, "Chembur Festival organized by local MLA Prakash Phaterpekar was going on in Chembur for the last four days with Monday being the last day of the program and on the last day this commotion happened when Sonu Nigam was present there and performing.
When Sonu Nigam was performing on the stage, MLA Prakash Phaterpekar's son misbehaved with the singer's manager Saira and spoke rudely."
In his police complaint filed against the accused, Sonu Nigam reported that when he was getting down from the stage after his performance, the MLA's son hurriedly tried to take a selfie with him, then Sonu's bodyguard Hari instructed him to take a selfie in an appropriate way reacting to which the MLA's son pushed Hari. After this he also pushed Sonu, who was shielded by his bodyguard, preventing his fall.
Based on a complaint filed by Nigam, the Chembur police registered an FIR against Swapnil Phaterpekar, the son of local Shiv Sena MLA Prakash Phaterpekar, under Indian Penal Code Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 341 (wrongful restraint), and 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others), the official said.
The report further mentioned that after Sonu, the MLA's son badly pushed Rabbani Mustafa Khan, a very close friend of the singer and son of late Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan, who suffered serious injuries and had to be taken to the hospital.
Nigam went to the Chembur police station in the early hours of Tuesday, recorded his statement and filed a complaint against the accused, the official said, adding a probe was underway into the case.
Later, the accused's sister in a tweet said on behalf of the organisers, they have officially apologised to Nigam and his team for the unpleasant incident.
Although Sonu is completely fine, his bodyguard and friend sustained injuries and were later taken to the hospital for treatment.
A video on social media is doing the rounds where an individual is seen pushing Nigam and his friend.
Shedding light on the incident and issuing a clarification on the same, the accused's sister Suprada Phaterpekar tweeted, "As organiser of the Chembur festival, I wish to shed light on some facts about the unfortunate incident that occurred at the end of Chembur Festival 2023. While Shri Sonu Nigam was being hurriedly ushered off the stage after delivering his performance."
She further continued, "my brother was trying to take a selfie with him. Due to the rush & furore, there was a commotion that ensued. The person who fell was taken to Zen hospital & was discharged after examination."
She concluded the tweet by writing, "Shri Sonu Nigam is unhurt. On behalf of the organisation team, we have officially apologised to Sonu sir & his team for the unpleasant incident. Please donot believe any baseless rumours and those who are trying to politicize the matter."