Two days after the mysterious death of a Kannada film junior artiste in Yelahanka and following an FIR against seven persons including the director of the film, the police made the first arrest in the case on Wednesday.
The Times of India reports that Narasimha, the production unit manager of 'VIP' -the film being shot- who is responsible for coordination at the location was arrested for negligence causing death.
44-year-old Padmamma Muniyappa was found dead in the lift of the construction building, where the film was being shot since Sunday morning.
The Rajanakunte police made the arrest a day after it was reported that director Nandakishore and other crew members were absconding, based on sources in the police department.
However, in a conversation with TOI, Nandakrishore denied that he was absconding and assured that he would cooperate in the investigation. Nandakishore reportedly told the newspaper that he was visiting a temple outside the city, and had not answered any phone calls on Tuesday.
According to the police, Padmamma Muniyappa's body was found in the lift shaft and he is believed to have fallen from the fifth or sixth floor of the construction building, where the shooting was underway.
Speaking to TOI, Nandakishore contradicted the police version and said that they had not used the fifth floor for shooting purpose.
“We didn't shoot in the building where she was found dead. It is said that the body was found at 3pm. In fact, we came to know about it after the shooting was over around 6pm. Do you think we would continue shooting for three hours if there was a dead body in the building? Also, there were more than 400 people in the area. How could we possibly keep track of everyone present?" Nandakishore was quoted as saying.
However, the police maintained the charges against the crew, stating that an undertaking given to the building owner by the production unit says that the crew would take responsibility for any mishap on the site.