Goa -based actor Gaurav Bakshi has been booked by the Goa Police by Goa Police for uploading a video on social media, claiming that the state government and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant “were responsible for the shortage of forest cover in Goa”.
The FIR was registered at the Crime Branch Police Station on 2 July, which was based on the complaint of the Forest Department, Forest Department Deputy Conservator (Headquarters).
The FIR said that Bakshi made a video alleging that CM was responsible for Goa’s low forest cover, and says, “It is also alleged that the government has destroyed the forest cover in Goa by working against the direction of the Supreme Court of India.”
The FIR stated that the video was broadcast on social media, and it seems “posted against the government with the intention of creating fear or alarm for the public, affecting public peace”.
The complainant said that in the allegations made by Bakshi in Facebook video, “Prima facial baseless and misleading is that the orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court and other courts are followed and the state government is finally compiled by private forests, and is definitely determined by the state government …”
The FIR was recorded under sections of enmity and promoting public mischief.
The video was posted on 28 June. In a statement to the press, Bakshi said that he was on leave with his family when he came to know that an FIR was lodged.
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Bakshi, who is also an worker, said that “the crime branch is coming daily at my residence” and he has approached the magistrate for anticipatory bail.
Bakshi told The Indian Express, “Instead of addressing serious issues of economy and ecology, the government of Goa is lying to Goan, which ensures massive destruction for hills, paddy fields and forests. I am highlighting many such issues. This cedar is another attempt to stop me.”
Rahul Gupta, SP, Crime Branch, replied, “A police team went to serve the notice as per the provisions of BNSS, but he is not accepting the notice and is not visible in the crime branch.”
In July last year, Bakshi was arrested by the Goa police when he allegedly confronted a parking issue with the individual security officer of Fisheries Minister Neelkanth Halarankar.
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