Haryana mall vandalised in 'possible' protest against ‘Padmaavat’

Haryana Police said the case has been probed from all angles. File

Haryana police on Monday said that few miscreants have created ruckus and vandalised Kessel Mall in Kurukshetra on Sunday evening, "possibly" in protest against Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film Padmaavat .

"We have registered a case against unknown persons for rioting. While the group of people created ruckus and broke windowpanes in the Mall, they didn't shout any slogans against the film - Padmaavat . However, there is a possibility that the vandalism was done to register protest against the release of film, " Abhishek Garg, Superintendent of Police, Kutukshetra, told The Hindu.

Mr. Garg said "police was probing all angles of the case. Linking this episode of vandalism to the release of film

Padmaavat can't be ruled out and we are investigating the matter," he said.

"A group of 20 people were reportedly involved. We are trying to identify the accused and would soon arrest them, " he added.

The Haryana government had on January 16 decided to ban the screening of the film in the State. The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the State Cabinet that was chaired by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

Mr. Khattar had earlier gone on record saying, “Nobody would be allowed to hurt the sentiments of people belonging to a particular community.”