Six held for vandalising theatre sent to jail, alert sounded in UP

Six of the eight persons detained on Tuesday night in connection with the vandalising of a cinema hall here were arrested late last night while two of them were released after interrogation, police said.

The six accused were on Wednesday afternoon produced before a court that sent them to judicial custody till November 19.

The police have booked about 30 to 40 others in connection with the case, an official said.

Over 50 activists of the Shri Rajput Karni Sena had on Tuesday created ruckus and vandalised a cinema hall in the Aakash Mall near the Aerodrome circle under Gumanpura police station area for allegedly screening a trailer of the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directed 'Padmavati'.

Police had to use force to disperse the activists from the cinema hall.

Eight persons were detained following the incident on Tuesday evening, said Anand Yadav, Circle Incharge (CI), Gumanpura police station.

Two of the eight detained were released after the preliminary interrogation while six others allegedly involved in violence and causing damage were arrested, he said.

"The six arrested were identified as Pradeep Saini, Hamendra Singh, Digvijay Singh, Kunal Jangid, Ved Prakash and Vijay Pal Singh, who were today evening produced before a local court that sent them to judicial custody till November 19," Yadav said.

At least 16 motorbikes and two four wheelers were also seized, he said.

"At least 30 to 40 others involved in the vandalising and causing damage in the cinema hall in Aakash Mall have also been booked," he added.

Over fifty activists of Karni Sena on Tuesday afternoon around 3. 20 pm reached cinema hall in Aakash Mall and created ruckus and vandalised the counters, booking windows, glass gates and office furniture.

Meanwhile, students unions on Wednesday have also jumped into the ongoing protest against the Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh starrer.

Students of government arts college led by college union president Lekhraj Yogi on Wednesday demonstrated against the release of the movie and burnt an effigy of its director Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

Taking precautionary measures ahead of the scheduled release of 'Padmavati', Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Sulkhan Singh has asked the force to remain extra vigilant.

The film is slated to be released in December 1.

Keeping in view protests against the movie by some organisations, the force should remain alert especially at all malls and cinema halls, with anti-riot equipment, Singh said in directives to all district police chiefs.