Mumbai Police issues notice to Pakistani singer Adnan Sami for overstaying in India

British-born, Pakistani-origin singer Adnan Sami has been served notice from Mumbai police for continuing to live in India even after his visa expired 10 days ago, officials said.

44-year old Sami, who has made India his second home for the last several years, has been ordered to reply to the notice within a week explaining the reasons for the overstay, and details of the visa renewal process which he claims to have been initiated, sources in the Special Branch of city police said.

Adnan Sami.

The singer-composer's last visa was valid from September 26, 2012 to October 6, 2013, and the police notice has been issued under the Foreigners Act, 1946.

Sources said Sami had informed Mumbai police that he had applied for an extension of his visa in Delhi but failed to produce any valid documentary evidence to support his claim. If Sami fails to reply to the notice and follow the norms prescribed for foreigners, the Ministry of Home Affairs would be informed for taking appropriate action, they said.

Sami may be required to cough out a daily fine till he gets a visa renewal, but police sources declined to confirm this.

The expiry of the singer's visa came to light last week during the hearing of a court case between Sami and his former wife Sabah Galadari over possession of a duplex flat in Lokhandwala complex.

When the matter came to light, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's (MNS) film wing chief Amey Khopkar asked Sami to leave the country and return only after securing a valid visa.

Sami informed the MNS and the Mumbai police that he has applied for his visa renewal in New Delhi, but so far has not furnished any documentary evidence to back up the claim.

The singer had met MNS Chitrapat Karmachari Sena leader Amey Khopkar last Saturday seeking their cooperation on the matter. "Sami met us at our office seeking our cooperation. We told him to leave the country as his visa has expired," Khopkar had said.

Khopkar said the MNS would move police, the state and central governments over the issue.u00a0