Udupi, Sept 01: Mubarak Ali of Udupi informed that they were putting every possible effort for the acquittal of Shankar Poojary of Kundapur Taluk Aangalli Kalanje, who was arrested by Kuwait police for allegedly carrying drugs containing prohibited molecules while flying to Kuwait from his native place.

Addressing a press conference here, Mubarak Ali admitted that he had sent three types of medicines with Shankar on the basis of a prescription issued by KMC's doctor for his cousin Tasleem Fatima.

Besides giving the medicines prescribed by the doctor after purchasing them from the city's medical shop to Shankar Poojary, he had also sent homemade desserts, he informed.

I had given medical prescription and bills along with the medicines. But Shankara Poojary did not carry the bills. The Kuwait police arrested Shankar at the Kuwait airport on June 13 due to lack of proper documents for taking the medicines. After 20 days we learned from Shankar's wife Jyoti about his arrest, Mubarak Ali said.

Then we went to Kundapur police station and discussed with the inspector there. He then introduced us to Gopal Kalanje, general secretary of the BJP’s SC District Morcha, who is the neighbor of Shankar Poojary.

Later, as per his instruction, I submitted doctor's certificate, MRICD to Udupi MP Shobha Karandlaje and Mangaluru MP Nalin Kumar Kateel along with his letters. Also contacted the Indian Ambassador to Kuwait in Kuwait and making every effort to get Shankar released.

Shankar Poojary is innocent.

But Jyoti and Karnataka Rakshana Vedike President Ansar Ahmed are giving false statements without knowing the truth. But we have continued our struggle to get Shankar without paying heed to their statements. Shankar Poojary is innocent, and the problem was that the drugs we sent are banned in Kuwait. We were unaware of it. We will continue to put all our efforts and help him to get released," Mubarak Ali said.

Gopal Kalanje was present at the press conference.

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Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh Police are actively searching for film director Ram Gopal Varma after he failed to appear for questioning in connection with a case filed against him for allegedly posting offensive and morphed images of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, and their family members on social media.

The case was registered at Maddipadu Police Station in Prakasam district on November 11, with the complainant Ramalingam alleging that Varma's posts undermined the reputation of the leaders and caused personal harm.

Three police teams—two in Hyderabad and one in Tamil Nadu—have been deployed to locate Varma. One team is currently in Chennai, another is at his residence in Hyderabad, and the third is searching in Film Nagar. Police officials reported that Varma’s phone is switched off, complicating their efforts.

According to Prakasam District Superintendent of Police (SP) A.R. Damodar, Varma had been issued two notices and was given until November 24 to cooperate with the investigation. However, he failed to appear, leading to intensified search efforts.

Varma’s lawyer has argued that physical presence is not required and has requested that the investigation proceed in a virtual format under provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The lawyer stated that Varma had communicated his willingness to cooperate digitally but alleged that police had not responded to his requests.

SP Damodar criticised the director's approach, stating, "Without appearing for the investigation, how can Varma suggest a virtual probe?" He confirmed that police are pursuing all legal avenues to ensure compliance.

Varma, who had earlier requested additional time due to prior commitments, was summoned for investigation on November 25 but failed to attend. Police have stated that further legal action will follow if he continues to remain uncooperative.