BBC World Service documentary scheduled for June 11; Moosewala’s father urges Mumbai police to ‘Halt screening’— Here’s why

Balkaur Singh, father of the late Punjabi music icon Sidhu Moosewala, has approached Mumbai police with a formal plea to stop the screening of a BBC World Service documentary on his son. The event is scheduled for June 11 at Soho House in Juhu, coinciding with what would have been Moosewala’s 32nd birthday. Singh’s written complaint, addressed to both the Maharashtra Director General of Police and the Juhu Police Station, alleges that the documentary includes “unauthorised, sensitive, and unpublished material” that could not only violate the family’s rights but also disrupt an ongoing criminal investigation.

Why the family is concerned

• Use of private content without consent: According to Singh, the film features Moosewala’s name, likeness, and life story without the family’s knowledge or permission. More troubling, he says, are private testimonies and personal information that have never been made public and should have remained confidential.
• Impact on a sensitive legal case: Singh warns that airing the documentary at this stage could jeopardise the ongoing investigation into his son’s murder, which took place in May 2022. With court proceedings still underway, the family fears that the content could influence public opinion or even interfere with judicial outcomes. There’s also concern about the potential for unrest or misinformation.
• Violation of legal and moral rights:
The complaint further outlines what the family believes to be violations of privacy, defamation, and the right to dignity after death. Singh has urged authorities to act swiftly to protect not just his family's interests but also the legacy of a young artist whose life was cut short under tragic circumstances.
• Possible legal action on the horizon:
If the screening goes ahead, Singh has indicated that he may pursue both civil and legal action against the documentary’s producers and event organisers. He has underscored that the film should not be allowed to circulate without proper verification and consent, especially given the nature of its claims.

What the documentary covers

Titled Asian Network Stories: Sidhu Moose Wala, the three-part BBC documentary is hosted by presenter Bobby Friction. It promises to delve into Moosewala’s meteoric rise in music, his foray into politics, and the events surrounding his death. The promotional material hints at revealing “unknown facts” and “hidden truths” about the late artist—phrases that have deeply alarmed the family.

Timing of the screening raises more red flags

The screening is scheduled from 3 to 6 PM on June 11, the very date Moosewala would have turned 32. Invitations for the event have already been circulated. Singh’s appeal to law enforcement urges that officers be deployed at the venue and that legal provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) or other applicable sections be invoked to stop the event in its tracks.

A family still waiting for closure

Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, widely known as Sidhu Moosewala, was fatally shot in Punjab’s Mansa district in May 2022. His killing sent shockwaves across the country and the diaspora, sparking widespread media coverage and public outcry. The case remains unresolved, with multiple suspects named and court proceedings still ongoing. For the Moosewala family, this documentary feels not just untimely—but deeply intrusive.

As the trial into Sidhu Moosewala’s murder continues, his father is urging Mumbai police to act urgently and prevent a documentary screening that he believes is unauthorised, emotionally distressing, and potentially damaging to both the legal process and his son’s memory.