“A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against independent MLA Ravindra Singh Bhati and five others for allegedly threatening folk singer Chotu Singh Rawna and insulting the women of his family,” police said on Thursday (April 2, 2026).
Mr. Rawna lodged the FIR against the Sheo MLA and five others after a controversy erupted over a comment on social media.
The dispute arose after the singer made a comment on a social media post on Bhati allegedly ignoring the plea of a child cancer patient.
The singer had posted in Hindi, “If you [child] were a reel star then all leaders would have been by your side.” Mr. Rawna alleged that after this comment, Mr. Bhati called him and issued threats.
When the controversy escalated, Mr. Bhati’s supporters allegedly made insulting remarks on social media about the singer's family and women, the FIR alleged.
"The FIR was registered on Wednesday [April 1, 2026] under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Sections 351 (2) (3) and 79. The case is being referred to the CID-CB for investigation," SHO of Sheo police station Satya Prakash said on Thursday (April 2, 2026). He said a pen drive and certain documents were submitted along with the complaint.
After the controversy escalated, representatives of the singer’s community submitted memorandums to district administration against the MLA. The MLA could not be reached for comments.