Actor Gaurav Bakshi arrested by Goa police for `blocking' minister's car
Panaji (PTI): Goa police on Thursday arrested actor Gaurav Bakshi for allegedly restraining the movement of state Animal Husbandry Minister Nilkant Halarnkar by blocking his car, an official said.
Bakshi, who has acted in web series and a few films, claimed in his counter-complaint that it was the minister's car that had blocked his way.
The actor was arrested after Halarnkar's personal security officer (PSO) filed a complaint at Colvale police station in North Goa district, a senior police official said.
He was booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections related to "obstructing public servant" and "wilful restraint", the official added.
The minister told reporters that the incident took place when he was leaving in his car after attending a function at Revora panchayat hall in North Goa district on Wednesday.
The accused's car blocked his path, and Bakshi threatened his PSO when asked to move his vehicle, the minister alleged.
Bakshi, for his part, released a video stating that he had filed a complaint against the minister at the local police station over the incident at the panchayat office.
Advocate Nigel Da Costa, lawyer representing Bakshi, in a media statement released here has said that bail application was moved before Judicial Magistrate First Class, Mapusa on Thursday at 9 pm.
“But the investigating officer turned up at 9.15 pm and sought time. The learned magistrate had to adjourn the matter to 10 am tomorrow (Friday),”he said.
In a statement released here on Thursday, Colvale police said Rohan Parab, PSO of the minister, filed a complaint that Bakshi, at around 4:05pm on July 10, wrongfully restrained the minister by parking his vehicle in front of minister’s government vehicle.
The minister was in Revora Panchayat in his official capacity to attend a sapling distribution function, the statement said.
The accused did not move his vehicle despite repeated requests and deterred the complainant from performing his official duty, police said.
The 47-year-old actor was arrested under section 126 (7) (obstruction of a way), 221 (confinement of public servant) and 132 (restraining public servant) of Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).
Da Costa, meanwhile, said Bakshi's arrest was abuse of power by the police.
"Bakshi had surrendered to the police but we were later informed that section 132 of BNS, which pertains to a non bailable offence, was added," Da Costa claimed.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had said earlier in the day that the government had taken cognisance of the incident. "He (Bakshi) would be arrested," Sawant said.
Bakshi, who has acted in the web series "Bombay Begums" and "Naxalbari" among others, runs a start-up in Goa.
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Gauhati HC schools Assam govt over allotment of 3,000 bighas of tribal land to private firm
Asks, "Are you giving an entire district? Is this a joke?"
Guwahati: The Gauhati High Court has strongly criticised the Assam government’s decision to allot nearly 3,000 bighas of tribal land in Dima Hasao district to a private cement company, Mahabal Cements, for mining operations. The court emphasised that public interest should take precedence over private gains.
During a recent hearing, Justice Sanjay Kumar Medhi expressed astonishment at the land allocation, saying, “3,000 bighas! The entire district? What is going on? A private company being given 3,000 bighas? We know how barren the land is, but 3,000 bighas? What kind of decision is this? Is this some kind of joke? Public interest, not private interest, is what matters.”
The observations came after arguments presented on behalf of the company, which claimed that the land was barren and essential for operating its cement plant.
The allotment has drawn criticism from opposition parties and local groups. Earlier, a Congress delegation, led by then state unit president Bhupen Kumar Borah and current Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia, met the Governor to raise concerns on behalf of indigenous communities from Borolokhindong, Tharvelangso, and nearby villages.
In a memorandum, the Congress alleged that the government was preparing to hand over nearly 9,000 bighas in Dima Hasao to corporate interests with close links to the ruling BJP, disregarding the rights and sentiments of tribal communities. “This is not just a land issue. It’s about survival and safeguarding the identity of Dima Hasao’s indigenous people,” the memorandum stated.
Reacting to the court’s comments, Assam Congress accused the BJP government of “blatant crony capitalism,” highlighting the alleged favouritism shown to private corporations. In a post on X, the party said, “Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma handed over 3,000 bighas (81 million sq ft) of tribal land to Adani for a cement factory. The BJP government’s actions shamelessly hand over the country’s resources to corporate allies, while the poor are left to struggle.”
The Adani Group on Monday, however, dismissed reports that it has been allotted land by the Assam government for a cement plant in the state, terming them baseless, false, and misleading.
"It has come to our notice that certain news reports, social media posts and clips from court hearings are being circulated, claiming that the Assam government has allotted 3,000 bighas in Dima Hasao to the Adani Group for a cement plant,” the Adani Group spokesperson said.
"We categorically state that these reports and references are baseless, false and misleading. Linking the Adani name to Mahabal Cement is mischievous. Mahabal Cement is not related to, owned by or connected with the Adani Group in any manner whatsoever," the spokesperson clarified according to IANS.
This will blow your mind 🤯🔥
— Ankit Mayank (@mr_mayank) August 17, 2025
Assam BJP Govt gave 3,000 bigha (81 million sqft) to Adani to build a cement factory 🤯
Even the HC Judge got shocked — “Is this a joke? Are you giving an entire district?”
Himanta needs to go to jail, his end is coming 🔥 pic.twitter.com/8WgifsLItO
