Film director and producer Rohit Shetty has been accused of bribing a former Censor Board chief to get a censor certificate for his hit film "Singham Returns" starring Ajay Devgn.
Rohit Shetty allegedly offered Rs 2 lakh to the former chairman of Censor Board, Rakesh Kumar, who reportedly pressurised two members of the committee to sign on blank forms. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has now sought to file a case against Shetty, The Indian Express reported.
"Shetty was desperate to get the CC as the film was scheduled to be released in UAE on August 14. After Kumar received the bribe amount, he issued the CC on August 8. Based on this evidence, we sent a report to register a case against the producer and Kumar as there was enough material," The Indian Express quoted a CBI official as saying.
"These forms are required to be filled by the members, suggesting their opinions on various aspects on the point of censorship and submitted in a sealed envelope. Instead, Kumar coaxed the two members to sign blank forms. We are probing the case and the investigation is underway," added the official.
An authorised agent of the production house, Kishan Palli, also confirmed the same in his statement to the CBI.
"Kumar repeatedly told Shetty that since the movie was hurting certain religious sentiments, he was under tremendous pressure from the ministry. He suggested certain cuts in a song which was shot in the backdrop of a famous 'dargah' in Mumbai. He also suggested changes to a few dialogues but Shetty insisted that all the cuts should not be enforced. Kumar was paid over Rs 2 lakh to get the CC," Palli said in his statement.
It must be mentioned that Rakesh Kumar was arrested on 18 August, 2014 for allegedly demanding Rs 70,000 from the makers of a regional film, titled "Mor Dauki Ke Bihav". He is currently out on bail.
Rohit Shetty is currently prepping for his upcoming movie "Dilwale", featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon.
