Actor-film critic Kathi Mahesh banned from entering Hyderabad for 6-months
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Telugu actor and film critic Kathi Mahesh, who was booked for allegedly making statements "disrespecting" Hindu deities, was today externed from Hyderabad city for 6 months, police said.
Last month, some members of Hindu organizations in their complaint had accused Mahesh, also a filmmaker, of making derogatory statements and offensive comments against Lord Ram and Sita during a debate on a local news channel.
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Mahesh was booked under IPC Section 295A
Based on the complaint, a case was registered against Mahesh under various IPC sections, including 295A (Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings), and he was also questioned on July 2, police said.
"Kathi Mahesh has been externed under the Telangana Prevention of Anti-Social and Hazardous Activities Act," Director General of Police (DGP) M Mahendar Reddy said.
Showcause notice
Showcause notice has been issued to Telugu channel
Reddy said a show-cause notice has been issued to the TV channel responsible for telecasting "malicious content hurting religious sentiments", directing them to explain why they should not be prosecuted under the relevant sections of Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act for violation of the program.
"The media channels cannot be permitted to act as platforms for nurturing and promoting divisive tendencies," the DGP said.
Derogatory remarks
Such derogatory remarks pose great threat to public peace: Police
Mahesh's remarks, Reddy said, posed great threat to public peace and tranquility and are likely to result in serious disturbance to public peace and order.
"Keeping these developments in view, it has been decided to take stern action against any individual or groups of individuals trying to disturb peace in Telangana," he said.
"Nobody shall be spared for indulging in such activities," Reddy warned.