• Source:JND

Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar B Khandre stated that a showcase notice has been issued to officials in connection with the case regarding the illegal felling of trees due to film's shoot, as reported by PTI. The Minister said that action would be taken after reviewing their responses. Khandre further mentioned that the officials falsely claimed in an Interlocutory Application (IA), which was filed in the Supreme Court in 2020, that the forest land in Hindustan Machine Tools' (HMT) possession had lost its forest status. 

Eshwar B Khandre said, “It has already been suggested to withdraw this IA. In the last Cabinet meeting, ex-post facto approval was given to withdraw the IA.” For the unversed, the crew of Toxic was pulled up in October last year for felling trees in a reserve forest in Peenya Plantation 1 and Plantation 2 in Bengaluru with the intention to set up a set for the film. The Minister said that a lease has been given to the crew by Canara Bank, which purchased the land from HMT. 

Eshwar B Khandre shared that HMT sold Rs 160 acres of land to various organisations which includes private entities of Rs 313 crore. In the certificate submitted to the Supreme Court, it was written that the land value if of Rs 14,300 crore. The Minister added, “In any case, this is a much-needed breathing space for Bengaluru city. One cannot put a price on it. This is the property of seven crore Kannadigas. All Kannadigas should support the government in protecting it.” 

On the other hand, Yash’s Toxic is set to be released in theatres in April, 2025. The Kannada action adventure film also stars Yash, Kiara Advani, Darrell D'Silva, Nayanthara, Akshay Oberoi, Huma Qureshi, Benedict Garrett and Sudev Nair in key roles. The film has been directed by ace filmmaker Geetu Mohandas. 

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