Hundreds of trees on HMT forest in Peenya cut illegally for Yash-starrer ‘Toxic’: Minister Khandre
Bengaluru: Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre has alleged that hundreds of trees that were on the land owned by Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) in Peenya were cut illegally for the filming of the movie ‘Toxic’, starring Yash.
Stating that satellite images had displayed the HMT site, which was forestland, Khandre said that he had instructed Forest Department officers to take legal action against the guilty parties in the matter. The minister also paid a visit to the site on Tuesday for an inspection.
Khandre, who had earlier accused HMT of illegally selling the forestland to government and private institutions and that non-forestry activities were now being carried out the land, said that the forestland was sold to Canara Bank recently and a massive set for the movie ‘Toxic’ was erected after axing hundreds of trees on the site. He reminded that cutting trees on forestland without official permission was a punishable offence.
The minister said that the authorities had to verify if the permission granted followed regulations. He also clarified that granting permission as per regulations would attract disciplinary action on the government official who permitted the axing of trees, but strict action would have to be taken against all the responsible parties if the trees were cut without permission.
Supreeth, Executive Producer of KVN Productions, which is making the Yash-starrer, said that the site was private property and insisted that the company had not violated rules while making the movie. A thorough scanning of the property and all the necessary documentation work had been carried out in February 2024. The company was waiting for a report from Forest Department to challenge its claims, Supreeth added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Allahabad High Court directs Centre to decide on Rahul Gandhi's citizenship by December 19
Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court has instructed the Union Home Ministry to decide on a petition regarding Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's Indian citizenship. The Bench, led by Justice Attau Rahman Masoodi and Justice Subhash Vidyarthi, set a deadline of December 19, 2024, for the government to update the Court on the matter.
The petition, filed by S Vignesh Shishir, requests a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into allegations that Rahul Gandhi holds British citizenship. Shishir claims that evidence, including confidential emails shared by VSS Sarma, suggests Gandhi may be a British citizen. However, due to UK data protection laws, the British government has not disclosed full details without Gandhi's consent.
During the November 25 hearing, Deputy Solicitor General SB Pandey informed the Court that the Home Ministry is reviewing the representation. The Court directed the government to report on the status of the petition by the next hearing on December 19.
A similar petition challenging Rahul Gandhi's citizenship is pending before the Delhi High Court, where the matter will be heard after the Allahabad High Court's proceedings.
