HC closes Badshah plea as police assures No Coercive Action in ‘Tateeree’ Lyrics row

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has disposed of rapper Badshah’s plea challenging directions issued by the Haryana State Commission for Women over alleged objectionable lyrics in his song “Tateeree,” after the police assured that no coercive action would be taken against him. The development brings immediate relief to the artist, signalling judicial restraint where the accused has cooperated with the investigation.

The controversy erupted after the Commission directed the Panipat police to register an FIR and arrest the singer over alleged vulgar and indecent content in the Haryanvi track. An FIR was subsequently lodged under provisions of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 and Section 296 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Badshah approached the High Court challenging these directions, maintaining that the allegations were misplaced and that he had no intention to offend. During the hearing, the State informed the Court that the singer had already joined the investigation and that a Look Out Circular issued against him had been withdrawn.

Taking note of the State’s submission, the Court observed that no further coercive steps were warranted at this stage. With the assurance on record and the petitioner’s cooperation established, the Court proceeded to close the matter. Consequently, the petition was disposed of without granting further relief.