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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Modi feels copy of Constitution I carry is blank as he has never read it: Rahul Gandhi
Nandurbar (Maharashtra) (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi feels the "red book" of the Constitution which Gandhi carries is blank as he has never read it.
Addressing a rally in Maharashtra's Nandurbar, Gandhi said the Constitution contains the soul of India and the principles envisaged by national icons like Birsa Munda, Dr B R Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi.
"The BJP has objections to the red colour of the book (which Gandhi has been displaying in rallies). But for us, irrespective of the colour, we are committed to preserve it (Constitution) and ready to give up our lives too. Modi ji feels the Constitution (book) is blank because he has never read it," he said.
Congress wants adivasis, Dalits and backward classes to get representation in decision-making, the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha said.
Notably, BJP leaders in their campaign for the November 20 Maharashtra assembly polls, have sought to link the "red book" displayed by Gandhi to "urban Naxalism".
Gandhi alleged that PM Modi and the BJP were insulting the national icons by making such comments.
The BJP and RSS insult tribals by referring them as "vanvasi" instead of adivasi, he charged.
"Adivasis are the first owners of the country and have the first right on jal (water), jungle (forest) and zameen (land). But the BJP wants adivasis to remain in the jungle without any rights. Birsa Munda fought for this and laid down his life,'' Gandhi said.
Highlighting the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi's (MVA) manifesto, Gandhi said women, farmers and youth will be protected with provisions like Rs 3,000 monthly assistance and free bus travel, farm loan waiver up to Rs 3 lakh and Rs 4,000 per month assistance for unemployed youth.
He reiterated the demand for a caste census, saying it will help to ascertain the number of adivasis, Dalits and backward classes in Maharashtra and how much is their share in resources.
At present, out of the eight per cent tribal population, their share in decision-making is only one per cent, Gandhi claimed.
He also alleged that five lakh jobs from Maharashtra have been snatched as various big ticket projects have been shifted to other states.
"Our government will not allow this. Projects meant for Maharashtra will remain here while those meant for Gujarat will stay there,'' he said.
