FIR against production house of Kannada movie and 2 others for felling of trees in forest land
Bengaluru (PTI): An FIR has been registered against the production company of a Kannada movie and two others in connection with felling of trees in a forest land here, where a set was erected for its shooting, officials said on Tuesday.
The FIR was registered as per the directions of the VIII Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court here, they said.
"As per court's order, a case has been registered by the forest department against KVN Monster Mind Creations which is producing the movie ('Toxic', starring actor Yash), the General Manager of Canara Bank and the General Manager of HMT limited," an official said.
Speaking to reporters here, Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre said an investigation is on and after the probe, chargesheet will be filed against the guilty and subsequently, action taken.
"It is clear that crime has been committed as trees have been cut. Now after inquiry, further action will be taken," he said. Citing preliminary investigation, the Minister said that there is evidence for cutting of trees and investigation is on to find out who is behind it.
The matter came to light on October 29 when Khandre conducted a spot inspection of the site where a set had been erected for shooting of the movie. He had later directed officials concerned to take disciplinary action against those who permitted felling of trees in the forest land.
In a note to Additional Chief Secretary of Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment, he had said a total of 599 acres of reserve forest in Bengaluru's Peenya plantation 1 and plantation 2 is gazetted and it was illegally handed over to HMT (Hindustan Machine Tools) in the 1960s without de-notification.
He also quoted the Supreme Court as observing: "once a forest is always a forest unless de-notified."
The Minister also noted that the land that is in HMT's possession without de-notification is a part of the forest.
"HMT illegally sold the forest land in its possession to various government and private organisations and individuals and non-forestry activities take place here. The felling of trees in this forest area is visible from the satellite image," Khandre had said.
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Two held in UP's Bijnor for contact with Pakistan linked Dubai handler
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Bijnor (PTI): Two men were arrested in this Uttar Pradesh district on Friday for allegedly being in touch with a Pakistan-linked handler based in Dubai, police said.
Circle Officer, Najibabad, Anjani Kumar Chaturvedi said Uvaid Malik and Jalal Haider were arrested following inputs on their alleged links with Aqib, a resident of Meerut currently staying in Dubai.
According to police, Aqib had earlier come into the spotlight after a video surfaced on Instagram purportedly showing him displaying an AK-47 rifle and explosives.
During interrogation, the arrested men allegedly told police that Aqib used to incite youngsters against Hindus and encourage anti-national activities, the officer said, adding that detailed questioning of the accused is underway.
On April 6, Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhishek Jha said the video first surfaced in November last year. Aqib, a native of Sathla village in the Mawana area of Meerut, was allegedly seen in the video brandishing weapons.
Following the viral clip, a case was registered at the Nangal police station by sub-inspector Vinod Kumar. However, the then station house officer and investigating officer Satyendra Singh had recorded Aqib's statement and filed a final report, stating that the weapons seen in the video were toys, effectively giving him a clean chit.
Police said fresh developments have now revealed Aqib's suspicious links and the probe has been handed over to the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS).
The SP said action has been taken against the officials concerned, with the then SHO and investigating officer suspended and Circle Officer Nitesh Pratap Singh removed from his post.
