The Chennammanakere Achukattu police, on Friday, arrested actor ‘Duniya’ Vijay from a resort on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border where he was allegedly lying low in the hope of evading arrest. However, they are expected to release him after questioning, as he has secured anticipatory bail.
The police had been trying to track him down since May 30 after he prevented them from arresting his friend and film producer Sundar P. Gowda in connection with the drowning of two stuntmen at Thippagondanahalli reservoir while shooting for the film Mastigudi in 2016.
Unlike Vijay who had a life vest and was unharmed, the stuntmen — Raghava Uday and Anil Kumar — had jumped off a helicopter into the reservoir without safety gear. The Ramanagar district police, during the course of their investigation, found that Anil and Uday died due to negligence of the film crew, which had also not taken permission to shoot in the reservoir.
Based on the chargesheet, the magistrate has issued a warrant against Sundar and directed the Tavarekere police to execute the warrant and arrest him.
A police team led by Head Constable Govindaraju G. went to Sundar’s house in Chennammanakere Achukattu. Sundar asked them to wait saying he wanted to change his clothes. Instead, he allegedly called Vijay for help.
An hour later, Vijay arrived. The actor allegedly threatened and abused the police. He allegedly physically prevented them from arresting Sundar, who escaped through the back door of the house.
Vijay was booked under Sections 225 (resisting lawful apprehension) and 353 (criminal force to deter public servant from discharge duties) of the Indian Penal Code.
“But, while on the run, he secured anticipatory bail, which means we cannot detain him,” said a senior police officer.
Sundar is already out on bail.
