The BBC World Service on Tuesday released a two-part documentary called ‘The Killing Call’ on YouTube, focusing on the murder of popular Punjabi singer Sidhu Mouswala. Despite the legal request from Mouswala’s father, Balkaur Singh, the release proceeded, who contacted a court in Mansa to prevent it from being shown.
Originally, the documentary was publicly displayed in Mumbai on 11 June, the birth anniversary of Moussewala. But due to controversies and legal challenges, the BBC World Service decided to release it on YouTube instead.
The BBC World Service on Tuesday released a two-part documentary called ‘The Killing Call’ on YouTube, focusing on the murder of popular Punjabi singer Sidhu Mouswala. Despite the legal request from Mouswala’s father, Balkaur Singh, the release proceeded, who contacted a court in Mansa to prevent it from being shown.
Originally, the documentary was publicly displayed in Mumbai on 11 June, the birth anniversary of Moussewala. But due to controversies and legal challenges, the BBC World Service decided to release it on YouTube instead.
The court arrests the temporary block, determines the date of hearing
A civil judge, Rajinder Singh Nagpal heard a case filed by Balkaur Singh, but refused to issue a temporary order to stop the documentary. The court has now listed the case for a complete hearing on 12 June.
In his suit, Singh nominated BBC and two persons – Ishleen Kaur and Ankur Jain as respondents.
Balkor’s lawyer, Satinder Pal Singh, said that the family believes that the documentary may affect the criminal case in the murder of Mouswala and violate his right to privacy.
A civil judge, Rajinder Singh Nagpal heard a case filed by Balkaur Singh, but refused to issue a temporary order to stop the documentary. The court has now listed the case for a complete hearing on 12 June.
In his suit, Singh nominated BBC and two persons – Ishleen Kaur and Ankur Jain as respondents.
Balkor’s lawyer, Satinder Pal Singh, said that the family believes that the documentary may affect the criminal case in the murder of Mouswala and violate his right to privacy.
Father says that the family permission was ignored
In earlier complaints for the Director General of Police at Maharashtra and Juhu police stations, Balkaur Singh claimed that the BBC documentary used Sidhu Mouswala’s name, image and life story without the permission of the family.
He also alleged that an invitation was sent to those who claim that they would share “unknown details” about the late singer – something that he believes that he could harm his son’s reputation.
Balkaur said that the Maharashtra Police has not responded to the complaints filed last week.
The documentary sees fame, crime and unanswered questions
The two-part documentary of the BBC includes the visit of Sidhu Mouswala and the tragic death. The first episode sees his early life, his rise for fame, and controversies faced by him. The second episode focuses on the leading incidents for his assassination on 29 May 2022 in Mansa district of Punjab.
“This is a story that takes us from the villages of rural India to the hip-hop-hop scene of eastern Canada, from the turbulant history of Punjab to the election politics of modern India, and from the shadowned world of organized crime to a chilling phone call with a fugitive gangster, who says he ordered a hit,” BBC World Service said in the video description.
The documentary includes interviews with friends, journalists and police officers of Sidhu Mouswala from both Punjab and Delhi. It also has an audio interview with Canadian gangster Goldie Brar, who claimed that he was behind the murder.
