New Delhi: Sidhu Moose Wala’s parents, Balkaur Singh and Charan Kaur, have opposed the release of his song ‘Phantom’ by Saga Music and announced plans to take legal action. In a public statement, the couple alleged Thursday that the music label proceeded with releasing the track without their consent or valid authorisation.
“The song ‘Phantom’ by Sidhu Moose Wala is being released by Saga Music without our permission or authorisation,” the statement reads.
According to the statement, the family had asked Saga Music to put the release on hold and discuss the matter with them. However, the label proceeded with the release without any valid documentation from the family.
“We are taking appropriate legal action to protect Sidhu Moose Wala’s legacy and rights,” Moose Wala’s parents said in the statement.
The couple also urged other artists and music labels claiming to hold any paperwork or rights to Sidhu Moose Wala’s songs to consult the family before making any public announcements or releasing his music.
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Dispute over other songs
The dispute has once again highlighted disagreements between Moose Wala’s family and music labels over his unreleased recordings since his death on 29 May 2022.
This is not the first time his family has opposed the release of his songs. In August 2022, they objected to the release of ‘Jaandi Vaar’, a collaboration between Moose Wala, singer Afsana Khan and composers Salim-Sulaiman.
The controversy erupted after the composers announced the song’s release and plans to make it available as a non-fungible token (NFT). Moose Wala’s parents approached a Mansa court, seeking a permanent injunction against the release, alleging that it was unauthorised and violated their son’s copyright and other rights.
On 29 August 2022, the court passed an interim order restraining the release of the song. In November, it reaffirmed the injunction, directing the composers not to release the track on social media or online platforms and to remove promotional material. The court observed that Moose Wala’s parents had a prima facie case, as his legal heirs, to protect his rights over the song.
(Edited by Saptak Datta)