Chandigarh: Punjab Police have arrested music producer Pinky Dhaliwal for ‘exploiting’ singer Sunanda Sharma.
Dhaliwal was taken into custody based on an FIR lodged against him by Mataur police station following a directive from Punjab State Commission For Women chairperson Raj Lali Gill.
The state women’s commission issued a suo motu notice after the singer alleged that Dhaliwal, who owns the Mad4Music label, exploited her by withholding payments for years, binding her to the company and keeping her under duress.
“This is to inform the public, business associates, and all concerned parties that certain individuals/entities are falsely claiming to have exclusive rights over my professional engagements and misleading third parties into believing that I am contractually bound to them. These claims are completely false, fraudulent, unauthorized, and legally baseless,” said Sunanda in a statement.
The singer who has sung popular songs like Chandigarh Ka Chokra, clarified: “I am an independent artist and I have not granted any individual or entity exclusive rights over my professional assignments, performances, or collaborations. Any person, company, or organization engaging with such individuals/entities is doing so at their own risk and peril. I shall not be responsible for any dealings undertaken through unauthorized persons or entities.”
Sunanda further requested those who have information regarding such misrepresentation to immediately report it to her. She warned legal action against anyone found misrepresenting their association with her or attempting to interfere with her professional engagements.
The singer also posted an emotional note on Facebook, begging those attacking and exploiting her to “have some mercy” on her, and seeking chief minister Bhagwant Mann’s help.
“As a proud citizen of this great Country and this great state of Punjab, I am only looking for the Hon’ble CM to protect my rights as a citizen, so that as a young artist I can achieve greater success and bring a good name for this great state of Punjab. Let not a few greedy and lowly people, who have no ethics and no respect for law, come in the way of progress of the state and its people,” Sunanda wrote.
