Duniya Vijay – who has been absconding for almost a year and a half after the Maasti Gudi tragedy, which led to the deaths of two Kannada actors – has been picked up by the police in Tamil Nadu and has been brought to Bengaluru.
An FIR was filed against the actor for obstructing the police from arresting P Sundar Gowda, the producer of the movie and the accused in the case, last month.
“Duniya Vijay was picked up by the Bengaluru police from a resort in Coimbatore and was brought to the Channammanakere Achukattu Police station after which he was let go after signing a bond of Rs 50,000,” said the police.
The police said that Vijay was absconding after he had applied for an anticipatory bail and they were able to track him down with the help of mobile towers.
Last month, the court of the Ramanagara judicial magistrate first class issued a warrant to arrest P Sundar Gowda.
“When the Tavarekere Police arrived at Sundar Gowda’s house, Duniya Vijay and the accused were discussing the plan of action. Sundar Gowda told the officers that he would go in and change his clothes. Within minutes, he had escaped from the house,” the police said.
Channammanakere Achukattu Police Inspector Sharanappa told TNM that Duniya Vijay had helped Sundar Gowda escape from his residence and avoid arrest.
“He told the Tavarekere Police that Sundar Gowda’s mother’s health condition was deteriorating and that he would personally hand over Sundar Gowda to the police in a day’s time. According to the Tavarekere Police, Duniya Vijay assaulted one of the police officers on duty. The Tavarekere Police had, by then, figured out that Duniya Vijay was the one who helped Sundar Gowda escape,” Inspector Sharanappa said.
An FIR was registered under IPC sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging duty) and 225 (resistance or obstruction of lawful apprehension of a person).
In November 2016, the film crew of Maasti Gudi had gone to the Thippagondanahalli Reservoir to shoot the climax of the film.
The stunt, which was being performed featured three actors – Duniya Vijay, Uday and Anil – jumping off a helicopter from a height of 100ft.
In the videos that have surfaced since the incident, Vijay is seen wearing safety gear while the other two actors don't have any harness.
Minutes before the stunt was attempted, Anil and Uday had told a news channel covering the shooting that they did not know swimming.
After jumping into the water, the actors began to struggle. While Vijay, who was wearing protective gear, managed to reach a coracle and get rescued, the other two actors drowned.
Following the incident, there was public outcry regarding the lack of safety measures and proper procedures for shooting dangerous stunts. Many also condemned the film unit for its callousness towards the safety and well-being of junior artistes.