Daler Mehndi moves Punjab and Haryana HC for reissuance of passport to perform abroad

CHANDIGARH: Singer and human-trafficking convict Daler Mehndi has approached the Punjab and Haryana high court, seeking that his passport be reissued, so that he can travel abroad for concerts. The singer is out on bail after the high court had suspended his jail terms. His appeal against conviction is pending before the court.
In his plea, Mehndi submitted that the validity of his passport, issued by the regional passport officer (RPO) in New Delhi, is going to expire on March 16, 2023, and an application has been moved for reissuing it. He has contended that there is an urgency for renewal of his passport, as he wants to travel abroad to perform concerts, being a renowned Indian/international sufi and pop singer, which is also the sole source of his income.
During the hearing of the petition before the bench of Justice Sandeep Moudgil, the bench observed that the application filed by Mehndi to the RPO/ministry of external affairs, New Delhi, has not been yet declined.
Observing that the singer has not impleaded the RPO in New Delhi, against whom the directions have been sought, has not been arraigned as respondent party in the case, the HC has adjourned hearing for February 2.
The counsel representing Mehndi has also given an undertaking before the HC for moving an appropriate application before the court for impleading the RPO as respondent party.
The case would now come up for hearing on February 2. Mehndi was convicted by judicial nagistrate 1st Class (JMIC), Patiala, vide judgment dated March 16, 2018 for the offences u/s 420 and 120-B IPC and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of two years and to pay a fine of Rs 1,000.
He had filed an appeal before the additional sessions judge, Patiala, who vide judgment dated July 14, 2022, dismissed the appeal and affirmed the March 16, 2018, orders. On this, he was sent to jail.