New Delhi: The Punjab Police has alleged in the Delhi High Court that as many as 31 complaints of illegal human trafficking have been received against popular pop singer Daler Mehndi, who is wanted by a Patiala court in one such case.

During arguments on Mehndi's plea for anticipatory bail, Punjab Police counsel Atul Nanda alleged that complaints of illegal human trafficking were pouring in against the singer. A Patiala Court has already issued a Non Bailable Warrant against him.

Nanda alleged that the defence deliberately left out some material portions of the First Information Report (FIR) in its English translation with a view to water down the allegations against him.

He further submitted the singer's custodial interrogation was needed in order to make certain recoveries and confront him with other accused including his brother.

Justice S K Agrawal, who perused the case file at the request of Nanda, asked the Punjab Police to file an affidavit regarding the 31 complaints allegedly received against Mehndi and adjourned the case to Thursday next.

Earlier, senior counsel R K Jain, appearing for Mehndi, argued that this was the first case registered against his client and that he was ready to deposit the whole amount involved in the case to prove his bona fides.

Contending that Mehndi was not likely to flee from justice as he was a celebrity singer, Jain requested the court to protect Mehndi from arrest for a "reasonable period".

PTI