Probing gangster's claim that Punjab singer 'paid' him protection money through 'hawala': Police

The Mohali police today said it was probing into the allegations by "gangster" Dilpreet Singh alias Baba that Punjabi singer Parmish Verma had paid him Rs 20 lakh as protection money through 'hawala' transaction.

"We are investigating whether he (Parmish) paid money or not," said Mohali's Senior Superintendent of Police Kuldeep Singh Chahal today.

According to police, Baba had alleged during his questioning that singer Parmish had paid Rs 20 lakh to him as protection money through 'hawala' transaction.

The Mohali SSP, however, said they would also summon Parmish in this connection.

Notably, Baba and his gang members had also made threatening calls to other Punjabi actors and singers including Gippy Grewal.

"We will interrogate Dilpreet Singh Baba to extract information of collection of protection money, if any, from other actors/singers here", said SSP Chahal.

Verma, who is making and also playing the lead role in Punjabi version of Bollywood 'Singham', was given at least four police personnel for his security following an attack on him by Dilpreet Singh Baba and his other three gang members during intervening night of April 13 and 14, here.

"This security cover could be taken back", said an official.

Meanwhile, the Mohali police has started Baba's interrogation today. The miscreant was interrogated at Mohali CIA wing premises at Kharar this evening.

Dilpreet was accused of attacking Punjabi singer Parmish Verma and his friend in April this year and, later he had claimed the responsibility for firing at the singer.

Dreaded gangster Dilpreet was arrested this month near the sector 43 bus stand in a joint operation by Punjab Police Intelligence Wing, Jalandhar Rural police and Chandigarh police.

Dilpreet had been facing over 30 criminal cases, including three of murders and nine of attempts to murder, registered against him in various states, including Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana and Maharashtra.