Amid controversy over felling of bushes in the course of the capturing of film “Poisonous”, Union minister HD Kumaraswamy on Wednesday attacked the state authorities and stated that forest minister Eshwar Khadre and the forest division had trespassed into the Hindustan Machine Instruments (HMT) owned land in Peenya and never vice versa.
Kannada movie star Yash’s newest challenge “Poisonous”, has come beneath scrutiny amid allegations of in depth tree felling on forest land for the film’s set. Khandre and the state forest division raised issues over the possession of the land that was initially designated as reserved forest and now occupied by HMT. Each acknowledged that the land ought to legally stay a forest space.
Kumaraswamy countered the state’s stance, calling the allegations “politics of vendetta,” particularly following his announcement to revive HMT. “There’s trespassing (by Khandre) on the HMT land. We (had earlier) filed a go well with associated to it (over possession of the land) and we’re ready for the court docket course. We are going to combat it legally however we is not going to increase the problem for publicity,” Kumaraswamy advised reporters.
“The forest minister visited the HMT premises yesterday, which was given to the Canara Financial institution approach again in 2002. It was not given on lease however bought to them (Canara Financial institution),” he additional stated. He stated he would maintain a press convention in a day or two towards the forest minister’s “try” to create confusion ‘unnecessarily’ in reference to the HMT land.
The Union Minister stated there are encroachments on forest lands in numerous elements of the state, together with Bengaluru.
“I wish to ask the Forest Minister who met the Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah), what course did CM offer you (Forest Minister) and what instruction you (Forest Minister) gave to the forest officers. Ought to there be completely different yardsticks for the poor and the Congress leaders?” Kumaraswamy sought to know.
In a letter addressed to the extra chief secretary for forest, ecology, and surroundings, on Tuesday, Khandre stated that the 599 acres occupied by HMT was by no means denotified. Citing the Supreme Court docket’s stance, “as soon as a forest, at all times a forest until denotified,” he reiterated the federal government’s view that the land technically retains its forest standing.
“Tons of of bushes have been illegally reduce down for the filming of the film on forestland beneath HMT’s jurisdiction, which is seen in satellite tv for pc photographs,” he acknowledged after visiting the positioning on Tuesday. He directed forest division officers to instantly pursue authorized motion towards these accountable for the tree felling.
The controversy has delivered to gentle longstanding points surrounding the land, which HMT acquired within the Sixties. Khandre alleged that HMT has not solely illegally held on to the land however has additionally leased parts of it for numerous personal and industrial makes use of, together with movie units. “It has been noticed that HMT can be renting out forestland beneath its management for movie shoots and leasing vacant areas,” he added.
Khandre additional stated that HMT had even bought a few of this forest land to entities corresponding to Canara Financial institution, the place the set for “Poisonous” was erected, with filming reportedly ongoing for a number of months.
He raised the necessity for accountability in permitting tree slicing on forest land. “It needs to be verified whether or not permission was granted as per rules, and, if permission was given, disciplinary motion needs to be taken towards the official who allowed tree-cutting on forestland. If no permission was granted, strict motion needs to be taken towards all accountable for the unlawful tree-cutting,” he stated.
Responding to the allegations, KVN Productions, the corporate producing “Poisonous”, acknowledged that each one authorized protocols had been adopted. Supreeth, government producer of the movie, refuted claims of wrongdoing.
“This can be a personal property and we now have not violated any guidelines. We did an intensive scanning of the property in February 2024 and did vital doc work. We’re ready for a full report from the Forest Division to problem its claims,” Supreeth stated.
The case has ignited political tensions, with state and central authorities representatives at odds over the problem. Khandre introduced that the Karnataka authorities would search to reclaim the land, asserting it had been “illegally transferred” to HMT many years in the past.
Poisonous, directed by Geetu Mohandas and starring Yash, is slated for launch in April subsequent yr.
