Action against Darshan after discussion with artists' union, says Karnataka Film Chamber
Bengaluru, Jun 12: Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) President N M Suresh on Wednesday said that a decision regarding taking action against Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who has been arrested in connection with a murder case, will be taken after discussion with the artists' union.
He indicated that action will most likely be taken only after the police file a charge-sheet in the case.
Suresh was responding to members of some pro-Kannada organisations, who met him, demanding that KFCC take strong action against Darshan.
They demanded that Darshan's movies should not be released and he should be boycotted, as they also questioned the film industry and federation for their "silence" on the issue.
Darshan, popularly known as "Challenging Star", and 12 of his close associates were arrested on Tuesday for the murder of 33-year-old Renukaswamy, a fan of the actor.
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Renukaswamy, a resident of district headquarters town of Chitradurga, allegedly commented on the social media account of Pavithra Gowda, a close friend of Darshan and small-time actress, accusing her of creating a rift between the actor and his wife. He also allegedly used "indecent language" and posted offensive messages, according to police sources.
"First of all I express my condolences to the family of Renukaswamy...we too share their grief. It is our duty to respond to the demand placed. Please don't say that the Film Chamber of Commerce is inactive, I don't agree with it," Suresh told reporters.
Bengaluru Police Commissioner (B Dayananda) has said that they will do a detailed probe in the case in accordance with law and bring the truth out, he said. "We too are saying that the guilty should be punished mercilessly as per law."
"We too have got certain complaints, but there is a 'Kalavidara Sangha' (artistes' union) for it. The Film Chamber of Commerce is for producers, distributors and exhibitors, but still we have tried to respond. We have spoken to the 'Kalavidara Sangha', we are trying to hold a discussion with artists. We cannot decide unilaterally. I will call a meeting to discuss. Until the police investigation is over and they file a charge-sheet the accused (culprits) will not be known, once that's done, we will take necessary action. We too have responsibility," he added.
Sa. Ra. Govindu, film producer and former President of KFCC, condemned the murder and said one should stand with the parents of Renukaswamy in their grief.
He said such incidents cause disrepute to the film industry. "Let the guilty be punished. No one is above law."
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SC seeks ED's response on journalist's bail plea in money laundering case
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to file its response within three days on a bail plea of journalist Mahesh Langa in a money laundering case linked to an alleged financial fraud.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi also asked senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the jailed journalist, to file rejoinder, if needed, to the ED's response within two days of it being filed.
The top court fixed the case for further hearing on December 15.
During the brief hearing on Monday, Sibal said a journalist has been facing as many as six cases.
"The journalist is accused of extortion," the counsel for the ED said and sought a short adjournment on the ground that Solicitor General Tuhar Mehta was unavailable at the moment.
The top court on September 8 sought responses from the Gujarat government and the ED on Langa's bail plea.
While issuing the notices on Langa's bail plea, the bench asked, "What kind of a journalist is he?"
"With due respect, there are some very genuine journalists. But there are also people who on their scooter say we are 'patrakar' (journalists) and what they actually do everybody knows," the bench told Sibal.
Sibal replied that these are all allegations.
"In one FIR, he gets anticipatory bail, then a second FIR is lodged and again anticipatory bail is granted but now he is booked under a third FIR for income tax evasion. There are other things also against him," Sibal submitted.
He added that there is a background to the case also.
On July 31, the Gujarat High Court rejected Langa's bail plea in the money laundering case on the grounds that if released on bail, prejudice would be caused to the prosecution case.
On February 25, the ED said it arrested Langa in a money laundering investigation linked to an alleged financial fraud.
He was first arrested in October 2024 in a GST fraud case.
The money laundering case against Langa stems from two FIRs filed by Ahmedabad police on charges of fraud, criminal misappropriation, criminal breach of trust, cheating and causing wrongful loss of lakhs of rupees to certain people.
