Popular folk singer Sapna Chaudhary attempts suicide

NEW DELHI: Prominent Haryanvi singer Sapna Chaudhary attempted suicide at her Chhawla residence on Sunday, more than a month after an FIR was registered against

NEW DELHI: Prominent Haryanvi singer Sapna Chaudhary attempted suicide at her Chhawla residence on Sunday, more than a month after an FIR was registered against her for using derogatory language in her songs.

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Chaudhary, police said, consumed rat poison at her south-west Delhi residence in the morning and was rushed to a hospital for treatment.

The singer was booked in July this year under the SC/ST Act at a police station in Gurgaon for allegedly using derogatory language against some castes in her songs. The words were part of the lyrics of a song which she had performed during a function in February at Chakkarpur, Gurgaon.

Chaudhary was found lying in semi-conscious condition in her room with froth coming out of her mouth by her family members in the morning. They rushed her to Clifton Springs Hospital in Najafgarh. Her condition continues to be critical, the police said.

Surender Kumar, deputy commissioner of police (southwest), said the matter came to their notice after they received a call from the hospital .“Doctors are hopeful that the singer will survive. Her statement will be recorded once she is declared fit. Necessary action will follow accordingly,” he said.

A suicide note was recovered from Chaudhary’s possession in which she alleged that she was being defamed on social media by Satpal Tanwar, a Gurgaon resident, who filed the case against her. In the note, Chaudhary has also mentioned that she was depressed as despite her apologies on social media and in newspapers, attempts to malign her image through social media posts were continuing. A clip of the singer apologising for hurting the sentiments of some castes was also uploaded on YouTube.

In her suicide note, sources said, Chaudhary wrote that on Sunday morning she read some objectionable posts against her on a Facebook page. The posts accused her of having physical relationship with some politicians and bureaucrats.

“In the note, the woman has accused Sat pal Tan war of tarnishing her image on the social media. We will verify her allegations and the authenticity of the note as well. If found true, a case of abetment to suicide will be registered,” said a senior officer.

“A case of attempt to suicide can also be filed against the singer. She has mentioned in her note that she was taking the extreme step on her own,” the officer added.

Chaudhary’s songs are popular on You Tube and social media sites such as Facebook.

In a case filed at Sector 29 police station on July 14 this year, Chaudhary was accused of insulting the Dalit community by using derogatory words against them in one of her songs.

The complainant claimed that the song led to social disharmony among various sects and action should be taken against the singer.