Punjabi singer Shonki booked for raping a co-singer’s minor niece

The accused had been on run since the first information report (FIR) was registered against him.

Punjabi singer Surinder Mann, also know as Surinder Shonki, has been booked for allegedly raping a minor niece of his co-singer, police said on Thursday.

Surinder Mann (HT file)

A complaint was lodged by Shonki’s co-singer, who alleged that he took her niece to a secluded place in Talwandi Bhai village and raped her on the premises in a rice mill.

The accused had been on run since the first information report (FIR) was registered against him at the civil lines police station, said assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Darshan Singh, who is investigating the case.

Shonki has been booked under Sections 363 (kidnapping), 366 A (procuration of minor girl) and 376 (rape) of the IPC and Sections 3/4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.

Bathinda-based Shonki and the complainant have been in the Punjabi music industry for past 10 years.