Yash-starrer 'Toxic' in trouble as FIR filed against crew, HMT official over illegal tree felling for movie set

Bengaluru: Days after Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre ordered action against those who built movie sets for the Yash-starrer 'Toxic' in Peenya Plantation, the department has registered an FIR against three individuals, including the production company and the general manager of HMT, for felling trees in a reserved forest without permission.

Felling of trees and breaking up of land for "cultivation or any other purpose" is banned under Section 24(g) of the Karnataka Forest Act.

According to the department, the movie set was built in Peenya Plantation, declared as forest in 1896, without getting permission from the department. The three were accused of "illegally clearing naturally grown trees in survey number 2 of Peenya Plantation reserved forest".

The FIR dated November 9 named KVN Monster Mind Creation, General Manager of Canara Bank and General Manager, HMT Limited. The FIR was registered after the range officer obtained permission from the 8th Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate.

"About 443 acres of land was given to HMT as a gift. However, it was not denotified or de-reserved. The Supreme Court has repeatedly said that lands once declared as forest remain forest. HMT was given land to develop factories and create jobs. They have illegally sold 170 acres for Rs 333 acre.

Officials said Canara Bank has been booked because it has given the forest land, allegedly purchased from HMT, on lease to KVN Monster Mind Creation, the company which has been booked for the erecting the set.

HMT has been booked for illegally selling the forest land.