Concerns raised over film shooting in jail

A social activist has complained to the district magistrate and the inspector general (jails) against the ongoing shooting of a film on Central Jail premises. He has highlighted that one of the unit members had tested positive for Covid-19 and could pose threat of infection to jail inmates.

However, jail authorities stated that the film unit has permission from the state government. The jail superintendent said that Covid-19 tests of the entire unit were conducted and only case, that too of a local, was found positive.

“The meeting of family members with jail inmates has been restricted for the past one year due to Covid-19 but permission has been granted to a 100-member film unit to shoot in the Central Jail,” complained social activist Naresh Paras.

“One member of the crew tested positive and is kept in isolation ward of the jail. The film unit has come from Maharashtra where Covid-19 cases are rising, so it is a threat to inmates in central jail. As such I have written to IG (Jails) and district magistrate to get the shooting stopped, as it is scheduled to continue for about a month and more members are likely to reach here,” said Paras.

VK Singh, Central Jail superintendent, denied the allegations and said that a member of the local catering unit was found Covid positive.

“We had antigen and RTPCR tests of all unit members done and allowed them entry as they all tested negative. The one found positive is local and segregated. Shooting began on Monday at Central Jail premises in compliance with Covid-19 protocol,” he said..

He revealed that the film unit had permission to shoot from the state government. The shooting is expected to continue for a fortnight and actress Yami Gautam is likely to join the unit later.

JAIL AUTHORITIES STATED THAT THE FILM UNIT HAD PERMISSION FROM STATE GOVT