Holi event overstayers: Shibani Kashyap speaks out, INZ visa fraud probe underway

Bollywood singer Shibani Kashyap has spoken out after some individuals, said to be part of her group travelling for February Holi show in New Zealand, overstayed their visas. According to Immigration New Zealand, the group arrived for the event on February 21, and some members remained in the country after their visas expired.

The issue comes after concerns were first raised about visa applications connected to the group, which NZ Herald reported last month that nearly a third of the applications were either declined, withdrawn or flagged due to concerns, including fraudulent documents, before the Holi event.

“I had no clue,” Kashyap told The Indian Weekender.

“It is a crime,” clarifying that she had no knowledge of any members travelling with her apart from Charu Das, the organiser from CD Foundation, and the filmmaker whose documentary was screened at the event.

She said, “Why would I take the risk of tarnishing my image?”

Kashyap urged authorities to conduct a thorough review and exercise proper due diligence to ensure nothing is overlooked.

The CD Foundation has issued a statement confirming that Kashyap is not responsible for, connected with, or associated with any individual members of the wider cultural delegation, apart from her professional role as a featured artist for the programme.

The Holi performance group from India which was organised by Charu Das of CD Foundation, remains under scrutiny by INZ due to the visa overstays. The Indian Weekender reached out to Charu Das via email and phone calls, but has not received a response yet.

The Holi event in Pukekohe was said to be organised by the Pukekohe Indian Association in New Zealand, which is part of the New Zealand Indian Central Association (NZICA).

The Indian Weekender reached out to NZICA President Veer Khar to ask whether the association or the Pukekohe Indian Association was aware of any visa applications linked to the group that had been flagged by INZ for fraudulent documentation.

“No,” Khar told The Indian Weekender.

The Weekender also asked how many individuals had travelled from India with NZICA or PIA support letters for the August event (when Kashyap visited for an NZICA event in 2025), and how many for the Holi event.

“None of our business,” Khar responded.

INZ visa director Jock Gilray this week in a statement said that of the 18 individuals who entered New Zealand as part of the group, only three have departed the country.

He said that of the remaining 15 individuals, four currently hold valid visitor visas, while the others became unlawful after their visas expired on March 6.

“We are prioritising contact with those who are here unlawfully on a case-by-case basis,” Gilray in a statement today.

“For privacy reasons, we are not able to go into any further detail.”

According to INZ, visa applications had been submitted for a group of 27 Indian nationals intending to travel to New Zealand as part of a group called Community Holi Celebration with Shibani Kashyap.

The group was said to perform at the Colours in the Park event held in Pukekohe last month, however, the photographs and videos of the event indicated Shibani Kashyap as the sole performer at the event.

Kashyap also clarified in her interview that she was the sole performer at the event.

The Indian Weekender, in another question to NZICA president, asked whether of those who arrived on valid visas, if he could confirm whether all members participated in official roles as performers or crew. 

"No knowledge," Khar responded.

“INZ verified that the event was genuine, including consultation with the Indian Consul-General in Auckland, who confirmed they were supporting the event,” Gilray said.

“A robust and fair assessment process was applied to the individuals making up this group, including collaboration with our risk and verification teams in India.”

Gilray said seven visitor visa applications were approved for the group, each valid for one month.

Four applications were declined, while three were withdrawn after concerns were identified with some applications, including fraudulent documents.

Thirteen short-term, limited visas were also granted specifically for attendance at the event, after officials determined this would help mitigate identified risks.

Of the 20 people whose visa applications were approved, 18 arrived in New Zealand between February 11 and February 24.

Gilray said one visa holder had not yet travelled, while another was prevented from leaving for New Zealand after additional concerns emerged.

This was Shibani Kashyap’s second visit to New Zealand in less than a year. She previously visited in August 2025, when she performed at an official celebration of India’s 79th Independence Day. The event was supported by the New Zealand Indian Central Association (NZICA) in partnership with the CD Foundation and featured an evening of music, dance, and cultural pride. It was presented by the High Commission of India in Wellington and the Consulate General of India in Auckland, and included a live concert.

“It was a super successful show, the Prime minister also joined me on the stage, so obviously my faith will be with these people,” Kashyap clarified saying that for the August performance and the February performance, she had “not brought anybody.”