Mumbai : The Mumbai Police (Special Branch-1) have sent a show cause notice to British-born, Pakistani-origin Pakistani singer Adnan Sami for overstaying in India, even though his visa had lapsed ten days ago.
The notice was served under the relevant sections of Foreigners Act and Sami has a week’s time to respond. He has to explain the reasons for overstay, and details of the visa renewal process which he claims to have initiated.
When the matter came to light during the hearing of his divorce-cum-property dispute last week, MNS film wing chief Amey Khopkar had asked Sami to leave the country and return only after securing a valid visa.
The Special Branch officials said that in case Sami fails to respond to the notice within the stipulated time, they would write to the Ministry of Home Affairs and ask it to deport the singer to Pakistan.
“A notice was served on Adnan Sami at his Oshiwara residence after it came to our knowledge that his visa had expired on October 6. He claims that he has already applied for extension of visa to the Union government, but no document pertaining to the same was produced,” said Sanjay Shintre, deputy commissioner of police, SB-I.
A fine of US $ 30 would also be levied on him if he fails to respond in time, said an official.
Sami has been staying in Mumbai since 2001 and there are at least three cases, including one of Foreign Exchange Management Act, registered against him.
Meanwhile, the singer issued a press statement saying, “This is to inform all concerned that my visa did expire on October 6, 2013. As per standard rules, I had made an application for extension of my visa to the concerned department of the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi on September 14, 2013, as they are the only authority that issues visa extensions. This is a standard procedure that is followed by all foreigners and I have been following it for the past 14 years. Hence this year is no different. Until the visa extension is granted by the MHA in New Delhi, I have to remain in India, as I cannot leave.”
