Actor Gaurav Bakshi booked over video blaming CM Sawant for Goa’s shrinking forest cover

Panaji, July 10 (PTI) The Goa crime branch has booked actor Gaurav Bakshi for allegedly claiming through a video that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was responsible for the reduction in the state’s forest cover, an official said on Thursday.

Bakshi has called the FIR “false” and “frivolous”.

According to a police spokesperson, the case was registered on July 2 on the complaint of Deputy Conservator of Forest Aditya Madanpatra.

The crime branch has applied Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 353 (1), which concerns making, publishing or circulating false information or report, including through electronic means, and 196(1), pertaining to promoting enmity between different groups by written or spoken words or through online medium.

According to the complaint, Bakshi created a video accusing CM Sawant and his government of destroying Goa’s forest cover by acting against the directions of the Supreme Court. Further, Bakshi circulated the video with the intent to cause fear among the public, it said.

Bakshi said in a statement on Wednesday that he was on a holiday when he learnt about the “false and frivolous” FIR against him for speaking out on social media about the "decimation" of forests in Goa.

The actor said he has faced similar action in the past, but courts came to his rescue. He said the police on July 4 knocked on his door with a notice asking him to appear for an investigation without “disclosing” that he was an accused.

Bakshi also accused the crime branch of refusing to provide him with a copy of the FIR. The actor added that he has approached the court for anticipatory bail. PTI RPS NR