RGV appears before cops over GST

Hyderabad: The controversial filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma appeared before the Central Crime Station (CCS) police here on Saturday. The interrogation reportedly held for nearly three-and-a-half hours.

Ram Gopal Varma, who is always in the headlines with his controversial statements and tweets, had released a movie on demand ‘God, Sex and Truth’ (GST), in January, casting an American porn star Mia Malkova. Crying foul over the movie, women organisations in Telugu-speaking states complained against the star director. 

A case under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act (punishment for publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form), and under Section 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of Indian Penal Code for making personal comments against a women activist in a television debate, was booked against him.

The CCS police sent notices to Varma to appear before them under Section 160 CrPC, but he made an excuse citing his professional reasons. Another notice was sent on February 8 to appear before them under Section 41 CrPC.

On Friday night, in a tweet, Varma ridiculed accusations levelled against him saying “As I am duty bound as a citizen to respect the law of land to give reply to the false accusations made against me.”
On Saturday, a five-member team questioned Varma about the film GST. As per the sources from the police department, a set of questions ranging around 30 were tossed at Varma. 

After the cross-examination, he was directed to appear before them. The investigating authorities have reportedly seized his laptop. After the interrogation Varma in a series of tweets, expressed pleasure “Am feeling amazingly happy”. 

In another tweet he shared his experience with the CCS police, “I so loved and was absolutely thrilled with the professionalism of the CCS team”, and in fact, he expressed a desire to act as a police officer in a film and appealed the directors to consider him.

Responding to his tweets women activist Devi, one of the complainants said, “Jail would give him more happiness, please send him as soon as possible.” Speaking to The Hans India she questioned that how can we allow anyone to promote pornography on the internet and television. 

“Being a responsible person, who can create impact on children and youth, Ram Gopal Varma should not have promoted the pornographic content,” she said adding “We appeal the government to take stern action against such persons and send him to jail.”