Hundreds of trees on HMT forest in Peenya cut illegally for Yash-starrer ‘Toxic’: Minister Khandre
Bengaluru: Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre has alleged that hundreds of trees that were on the land owned by Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) in Peenya were cut illegally for the filming of the movie ‘Toxic’, starring Yash.
Stating that satellite images had displayed the HMT site, which was forestland, Khandre said that he had instructed Forest Department officers to take legal action against the guilty parties in the matter. The minister also paid a visit to the site on Tuesday for an inspection.
Khandre, who had earlier accused HMT of illegally selling the forestland to government and private institutions and that non-forestry activities were now being carried out the land, said that the forestland was sold to Canara Bank recently and a massive set for the movie ‘Toxic’ was erected after axing hundreds of trees on the site. He reminded that cutting trees on forestland without official permission was a punishable offence.
The minister said that the authorities had to verify if the permission granted followed regulations. He also clarified that granting permission as per regulations would attract disciplinary action on the government official who permitted the axing of trees, but strict action would have to be taken against all the responsible parties if the trees were cut without permission.
Supreeth, Executive Producer of KVN Productions, which is making the Yash-starrer, said that the site was private property and insisted that the company had not violated rules while making the movie. A thorough scanning of the property and all the necessary documentation work had been carried out in February 2024. The company was waiting for a report from Forest Department to challenge its claims, Supreeth added.
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Christmas decorations vandalised by VHP activists at school in Nalbari; Tension in area
Nalbari: Tension prevailed in the Panigaon area of Nalbari district on December 24 after members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal allegedly entered the premises of St Mary’s School and vandalised materials prepared for Christmas celebrations.
According to local sources, activists of the VHP and Bajrang Dal entered the school campus ahead of Christmas and raised slogans inside the premises. It is alleged that Christmas-related decorations and materials kept within the school compound were damaged and set on fire.
Eyewitnesses said that members of the Bajrang Dal were the first to enter the campus, during which they allegedly raised slogans such as “Jai Shri Ram,” “Jai Hindu Rashtra,” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” and burnt items prepared for Christmas celebrations. The incident created panic among local residents and led to concerns over law and order in the area. No injuries have been reported so far.
The incident comes amid reports of similar acts in Nalbari town in recent days, where Christmas decorations displayed at several commercial establishments were allegedly set on fire.
Reacting to the incident, fact-checker Mohammed Zubair said on social media that VHP and Bajrang Dal activists entered St Mary’s School on Christmas Eve, raised slogans and destroyed Christmas decorations. His post drew attention to the incident and sparked wider discussion online.
Police have not yet issued an official statement on the incident. Further details are awaited.
On Christmas Eve, Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal goons entered St. Mary’s School in Panigaon, Nalbari, chanting slogans like “Jai Shri Ram” and “Jai Hindu Rashtra.” They destroyed and set fire to all Christmas decorations prepared at the school. pic.twitter.com/LQHV7FWUvz
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) December 24, 2025
