Bengaluru, September 11: The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday rejected the objection of Raghaveshwara Bharati Swamiji of Ramachandrapura Mutt of Hosanagar that a number of evidences collected by the investigating officers in the rape case of Ramakatha singer were not submitted to the trial courts while filing FIR.

Single Bench of the HC headed by Justice R.B Budihal rejected the interim petition of the swamiji who requested the court to direct the investigating officers to produce those records before the court.

The High Court on Tuesday heard the petitions filed by the Prosecution and the victim separately questioning the trial court’s order to drop the swamiji from the rape case. During the hearing, the advocate, appearing for the swamiji, appealed to the Bench, which rejected the request. It also said that criminal review petition filed by the victim is fit for the hearing. Already, the trial court has dropped the accused from the case. Now it is not fair to request the review of the evidences, the judge said and posted the further hearing to September 17.



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Bengaluru, Jan 24 (PTI): Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre has directed officials to make it mandatory to obtain permission from the "appropriate" authorities for any kind of filming in the state's forest areas.

At present, even local-level authorities are issuing permits, he added.

In an order dated January 20, addressed to Additional Chief Secretary to the Government, Forest, Biology and Environment Department, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief of Forest Force, Khandre said, as of now, only the Deputy Conservator of Forests is authorised to permit shooting in the forest area.

"But local level authorities are permitting various types of shooting in the forest areas. Due to this, there is a possibility of confidential information about the forest area being available to the outside world. Further, due to lack of awareness of the sensitivity of the forest and wildlife, there is also a possibility of damage to the environment and biodiversity," stated the order.

He also highlighted recent media reports on the potential problems arising from filming in forest areas and the seriousness of crimes associated with it.

Early this week, many reports highlighted how while shooting for ‘Kantara Chapter 1’, also referred to as ‘Kantara 2’, in and around Gavibetta, Herur village in Sakleshpur taluk, Yasalur area of Hassan district, the film crew had violated rules, causing damage to wildlife or flora and fauna.

In his order, Khandre stated that, in the interest of conserving forests and wildlife and ensuring a better environment for future generations, officials have been directed to make it mandatory to obtain appropriate government permission for any kind of filming in the state's forest areas.

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