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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Chennai, Nov 23: Music composer AR Rahman on Saturday issued a warning to individuals speculating about his separation from his wife, Saira Banu.

Taking to social media on Saturday, the 57-year-old musician shared a three-page legal notice addressing those spreading defamatory and "objectionable" content targeting him and his family.

"Notice to all slanderers from ARR's Legal Team," Rahman wrote on X.

It comes days after Rahman and Saira Banu announced that they are ending their marriage of 29 years.

The notice provides a 24-hour window for the removal of such content, stating that failure to comply could result in legal consequences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

"My client informs the hatemongers and sharers of abusive contents to remove the objectionable content within the next one hour and a maximum time duration of 24 hours," read the notice.

Rahman’s legal team said the actions of these individuals not only tarnish his reputation but also cause distress to his family.

Rahman and Banu tied the knot in 1995 and share three children-- daughters Khatija, Raheema, and son Ameen.