The Punjab Police on Wednesday transferred the officials investigating the allegations of human trafficking against pop singer Daler Mehndi and his brother Shamsher Singh.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Patiala, Paramraj Singh Umaranagal, Deputy Superintendent of Police Rajinder Pal and three inspectors -- Didar Singh, Shamsher Singh Guddu and Prem Singh -- were the ones transferred.

Umaranagal has not been given any assignment and has been replaced by A S Rai as SSP Patiala. Sixteen other SSPs were also transferred, described by officials as routine.

Rai will now set up a new team to investigate the case. Sources said that Daler had told the police that he would cooperate with the investigations only after a new team has been set up.

Director General of Punjab Police A A Siddiqui, who is in Delhi, refused to speak when contacted by rediff.com.

Also Read Patiala court denies bail to Daler Mehndi

But top officer of the Punjab Police told rediff.com that the sacking of the team had become necessary for two reasons.

"One there were allegations of corruption against them and we did not want to be seen as someone protecting the officers against these allegations. The other factor that which goes against them is that there was an impression in the force that these officers, though giving the impression that they were after Daler, were doing nothing to arrest him."

According to sources, Punjab Police was forced to take the drastic step after allegations of corruption surfaced against the team.

Shamsher Singh told news channel Aaj Tak that the team had demanded Rs 15 million from him for hushing up the case.

On Tuesday a Patiala court had rejected the regular bail petition filed by the singer. The court's decision came after the Delhi high court on Monday had dismissed Mehndi's anticipatory bail saying a regular petition was pending in the Patiala court.