BHOPAL: A day after the vandalism of the set of the web series ‘Ashram 3’, police registered a case of rioting, vandalism, brickbatting and assault against 25-30 people, four of whom are in custody. The rest are unidentified.
DIG Irshad Wali said police have provided security for the shoot so that there is no repeat of the incident.
The shoot of ‘Ashram-3’ will continue in Bhopal till November-end. Filming went on smoothly on Monday at different locations under police protection.
No complaint has been filed by the crew. Police took suo motu cognizance of the incident and registered a case. SHO Arera Hills RK Singh said the shooting of ‘Ashram-3’ was on at the Old Jail premises on Sunday when the protesters, including one named Abhijeet, arrived at 6pm. They shouted slogans at the gate and then went inside to talk to the crew.
While talking to them, they smeared ink on director Prakash Jha's face. The private security team rushed to protect him but they were assaulted, said police. The protesters pelted stones and vandalised vehicles belonging to the shooting crew, including buses, actor Bobby Deol’s vanity van and cars parked on the premises. Acting on directions from senior officers, Arera Hills police registered a case and started investigation, said Singh. Four suspects, including Abhijeet, were arrested by MP Nagar police on Sunday night. Police are looking for the others.
Normally, police provide security after a film crew asks for it and pays. When the shooting takes place at indoor locations, like the Old Jail premises in this case, no security is needed.