Woman dancer among four booked for shooting Lavani video at place associated with Shivaji Maharaj
Pune (PTI): Police have registered a case against a female Marathi artiste and three others after a video showed her performing dance on a Lavani number in the premises of Lal Mahal here, where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had spent several years of his early life, an official said on Saturday.
Some political outfits, including the ruling NCP, condemned the dance video, which prompted the dancer, Vaishnavi Patil, to tender an apology.
The case against Patil and three others was registered at Faraskhana police station on Friday night based on a complaint lodged by the security guard of the Lal Mahal, the official said.
Lal Mahal is a red-coloured building located in the heart of the city, where Maratha warrior king Shivaji Maharaj, a revered figure, spent several years of his childhood.
"Vaishnavi Patil performed Lavani dance at the Lal Mahal on Monday and people accompanying her shot a video of the act, which they later posted on social media. As mentioned in his complaint, the security guard, who was on duty there at that time, asked them not to perform dance and shoot in the premises of the monument," the police official said.
The case against them was filed under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 295 (defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class) and 186 (voluntarily obstructing a public servant in the discharge of his public functions), he added.
Lavani, a popular folk dance of Maharashtra, is known for its sensuous moves. Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Jitendra Awhad condemned the act of shooting Lavani dance at the Lal Mahal.
In a tweet, he said, "Shivaji Maharaj's Lal Mahal is not a place for shooting dance videos. This should not happen again. If anyone has done so (shot dance videos there), do not upload them."
NCP's city unit president Prashant Jagtap announced that a protest will be held outside the Lal Mahal on Saturday afternoon to denounce the video.
The Pune unit of Sambhaji Brigade, a hardline Maratha outfit, also condemned the video.
After her video kicked up a row, Patil, a winner of a dance show, on Friday apologised for her act.
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.
Thief 'armed' with pistol steals cash from brewery in Bengaluru
Bengaluru, May 12 (PTI): A thief carrying a pistol, broke into a brewery in north Bengaluru and stole cash, police said on Monday.
The incident occurred at the Geometry Brewery and Kitchen on the Gayatri Nagar road under the Subramanyanagar Police station limits here between 3.30 am and 4 am.
According to police, the suspect gained entry through the back door and stole around Rs 50,000 to 60,000 in cash.
"The watchman complained that a thief had entered with a weapon, and on noticing him he shut the door and alerted the police at 4:30-5 am. On police verification the thief was not inside but the CCTV cameras were switched off. Maybe a person had come for robbery and prima facie it appears that there was a theft. Based on the FIR, further investigation will be done," Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Saidulu Adavath said.
Addressing reporters here, he quoted the security guard as saying that the burglar was carrying a weapon, which needs to be ascertained.
"It is true that a thief broke in, but he was carrying a pistol in his hand is not confirmed. The watchman had seen the suspect from a distance, he was wearing a mask. His statement about a thief carrying a weapon may be his misconception. It will be investigated," he added.
The entire building was searched and the thief was not found. The police suspect that he might have escaped through the bathroom or kitchen at night.
The brewery was closed by 1.30 am, and the thief is said to have entered through the emergency gate from behind, while the watchman was at the front. Upon hearing some noise, he went inside and saw the thief.
The watchman does not how and when the thief exited, they said.
The DCP said that only one person had come and the cash counter was found broken open.
"Based on the complaint, we will file a FIR and investigate it," he said.
In #Bengaluru: Cops cordoned off the area around Geometry Brewery & Kitchen in Subramanyanagar after info that a person armed with a small weapon had entered the premises in the early hours, search is on. (Burglary suspected) pic.twitter.com/9VD04uEag9
— TOI Bengaluru (@TOIBengaluru) May 12, 2025
