The entire Punjabi media industry is currently stirred after music producer Pinky Dhaliwal was arrested for exploiting Sunanda Sharma. A day after his arrest, while speaking with the media the Mad4Music owner reacted to the controversy stated, “Je tusi kise de bache nu roti paunge tan ehi kuch hoyega.”
Hitting back at Dhaliwal, Sunanda Sharma took to her social media handle and shared a long note. In the post shared she captioned the post, “Ikko gal mere muh te 2 saal rahi ai,
RABB DA WAASTA JE EDA NA KARO🙏🏻😰Main sarkaar agge appeal kardi an,
MAINU MERA HAQ DAWAADO🙏🏻😰Dhanwaad CM saahab da bohot bohot jo ohna ne meri gal suni,
Meri gal nu tawajjo ditti, te apni ਭੈਣ samaj k meri gal suni🙏🏻”
“Ethe hi main ek gal hor kehna chahuni an, tusi sirf meri gal nahin suni, tusi oh tamaam Aurtaan di gal nu tawajjo ditti ai, jo kade apne haq layi nahin bol paayiyan.. 🙏🏻Te dhaanwaad saade Punjabi Media da v,
Tuhada saath bohot matter karda c🙏🏻,” she further added.
Take a look
I
In addition to this, in the official post Sunanda mentioned that the issue is not about the financial exploitation but the mental harassment she was subjected to. The singer revealed that she would cry alone in the rooms but came out smiling considering people would manipulate in her vulnerable state.
“kayi vaar apne aap nu khatam karan di koshish kiti, fer v hassdi vasdi lokan agge aundi rahi,” a part of her note read.
For the unversed, in her complaint, Sharma stated that Dhaliwal subjected her to severe financial exploitation over the years by pressuring her to perform at events and concerts without providing any rightful compensation.
“Despite my earnings exceeding ₹250 crore during this period, the accused unlawfully took possession of all my income and usurped my rightful dues. Not a single payment was made to me directly. This blatant financial exploitation has severely impacted my financial stability and well-being,” Sharma said.
According to the FIR, Sharma also accused Dhaliwal and his son, Gurkaran Singh Dhaliwal, of exploiting her by making false promises of marriage. Police are investigating the role of Gurkaran in the alleged exploitation for appropriate action.
Additionally, Sharma claimed that Dhaliwal and his son forged her signature on various documents, including contracts, and exploited her further by coercing her into signing agreements she did not fully understand. This included taking control of her intellectual property, such as music rights, performance rights and other creative assets.
“Through my earnings, the accused has built considerable personal wealth solely by exploiting me financially. His sudden and unexplained accumulation of wealth is a direct result of his illegal actions, including misappropriation of my earnings, unauthorised collection of performance fees, and manipulation of my financial rights,” Sharma alleged.
She also accused Dhaliwal of threatening her career and reputation when she confronted him about unpaid earnings. “Whenever I confronted the accused regarding my unpaid earnings, he would resort to threats and intimidation. He repeatedly threatened to ruin my career, withhold money and tarnish my reputation in the entertainment industry. He deliberately restricted my access to music companies, producers and other industry professionals,” the singer told police.
Sharma also accused Dhaliwal of unlawfully taking possession of her passport.
On Sharma’s complaint, Dhaliwal has been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating), 465 (forgery), 467 (forgery of valuable securities, wills and other documents), 468 (forgery of documents or electronic records for the purpose of cheating), 341 (wrongful restraint), 500 (defamation) and 506 (criminal intimidation) at the Mataur police station.
After Sharma posted on social media about her struggles, including her inability to buy a house following her father’s death, the Punjab State Women’s Commission (PSWC) took suo motu cognisance. PSWC chairman Raj Lali Gill requested the Punjab director general of police (DGP) to appoint a senior police officer to oversee the investigation and submit a report.
“Sunanda is struggling to pay her rent and medical bills for her ailing mother. She pleaded to at least let her have her own money to afford food. I will ensure she receives police protection and all possible help to safeguard her rights. Other artistes should also support her, as I have received two more similar complaints regarding exploitation in the Punjabi industry,” Gill said.
