Playback singer Sonu Nigam has approached the Karnataka High Court seeking the dismissal of an FIR filed against him at the Avalahalli police station in Bengaluru Rural district. The FIR was lodged following accusations that Nigam made controversial remarks at a recent music concert, allegedly offending the sentiments of Kannadigas.

The vacation bench, led by Justice Shivashankar Amarannavar, heard the case and deferred the hearing to May 15.

The Avalahalli police are currently investigating the issue and have issued a notice to Nigam, summoning him for questioning regarding the alleged comments. Legal proceedings are ongoing in relation to his remarks during the performance.

The court is set to take up the matter next week.

A viral video from Nigam's concert at East Point College in Bengaluru shows the singer addressing a fan who demanded a Kannada song. Nigam paused during the performance, addressed the audience, and expressed his respect for the Kannada language and the people of Karnataka. He shared that he felt "threatened" by the tone of the request. Referring to the Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in 26 casualties, Nigam remarked, "This is the reason for what happened in Pahalgam. This is the reason... for what you just did."

Nigam also expressed his admiration for his Kannada-speaking fans, saying, "Wherever I perform, even in a crowd of 14,000, there’s always one voice calling for Kannada. I sing for that fan. I respect and love you all so much. But please, you shouldn’t behave like this."