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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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
