Chandigarh: Haryana Police on Saturday initiated the process to issue a look-out circular (LOC) against rapper Badshah over the alleged indecent content of his recent song ‘Tateeree’, with teams designated to trace and apprehend him.Panchkula police have also asked YouTube to take down the song, and proceedings are underway to remove the video from other platforms as well.The developments came hours after Badshah — whose real name is Pratik Singh Sisodia — issued a public apology in a video posted on social media.“I am seeing that a major part of the audience, especially our own, are hurt by the lyrics and a portion of the visual presentation. It hurt the sentiments of the people of Haryana. I belong to Haryana, and I had no intention to speak indecently about any woman or children. This lyric was not for women and children. Even then, if any part of my song has hurt sentiments, I apologise from the core of my heart and expect the people of Haryana to forgive me while treating me as their son,” he said in the 1.26-minute clip released from an undisclosed location.The controversy has also drawn the attention of the Haryana State Commission for Women (HSCW), which has summoned the rapper on March 13. Police said the LOC process was initiated to ensure the accused does not leave the country.Investigators are also planning to question members of the crew involved in shooting the music video, particularly producers who coordinated logistics such as the bus and filming locations.The song has already triggered two FIRs. While the cybercrime police station in Panchkula registered a case against the song and unidentified persons, Jind Police named Badshah in its FIR after a complaint from Haryana Roadways.Officials said using the department’s name and buses without authorisation was a punishable offence and strict action had been sought against the singer. “We did not provide any bus for the shooting of the song,” said Rahul Jain, general manager, Haryana Roadways.In Panchkula, the FIR has been registered under Sections 3 and 4 of the BNS and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986. Police said the video shows girls in school uniforms throwing their bags and running away from studies, alleging that the environment of school and education was misrepresented using suggestive content. Authorities also alleged the song contained offensive and objectionable references to women and girls.
