Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Bengaluru, Oct 7 (IANS) Karnataka government officials have sealed the premises of Jollywood Studios and Adventures, bringing the Bigg Boss reality show, which was filmed at the premises, to a halt on Tuesday night.
All Bigg Boss contestants have been asked to vacate the house, and have been escorted out of the premises.
The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) on Tuesday issued orders for the immediate closure of Bigg Boss Kannada Studio in the backdrop of non-compliance with laws and operating without permission.
Season 12 of the reality show ‘Bigg Boss’ is being hosted by Kannada superstar Kiccha Sudeep.
The new season was launched recently.
The operation was personally supervised by Ramanagara Tehsildar Tejaswini. Due to the postponement of the show, more than 700 people, including technical staff, have returned home. Sources said that the technicians were working continuously in three shifts for the last six months.
The Bigg Boss house, built at a cost of over Rs 5 crore, has now been officially locked. The house was designed like a palace and was, for the first time, built on such a grand scale, in line with the vision of actor Kiccha Sudeep.
Sources further said that at present, accommodation arrangements have been made for all the contestants at Eagleton Resort. Accordingly, the organizers have shifted the contestants to the resort by car.
Reacting to the development on Tuesday, state forest minister Ishwar Khandre in Bengaluru said, “Despite issuing a notice on the violation, they have continued it. No one is above the law, and action will be initiated as per the provisions of the law.”
He said, “Wells Studios and Entertainment was issued a notice by the Ramanagara regional authorities in March 2024. I have received information that they do not have permission under the Water and Air Act, which is required. I have spoken to the authorities. They have not bothered to obtain permission and have not even bothered to apply in this regard.”
Minister Khandre also said that despite repeated inspections and issuing notices, the activities of the amusement park are continuing, which is in violation of the Supreme Court orders.
“This would also be a violation of the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Hence, closure notice has been issued for non-compliance of rules,” he underlined.
Asked whether the state government would shut down the reality show ‘Bigg Boss’, Khandre said, “Action will be initiated as per the provisions of the law. Everyone has to respect the law of the country. It is our responsibility to enforce the law, and we will do it. There is no need to think otherwise.”
“There is an opportunity for everyone to approach the court, let them (Bigg Boss makers) file an appeal before the court,” he said.
Earlier, a notice was issued to disconnect the electricity connection and it is alleged that the source of electricity was illegal.
The reality show ‘Bigg Boss’ is being held at the 35-acre Jollywood Studios & Adventures, run by Wells Studios & Entertainment Pvt Ltd, located at Bidadi in Ramanagara district, on the outskirts of Bengaluru city.
KSPCB said in its order that the Managing Director of Bescom will issue necessary instructions to the concerned Executive Engineer and Assistant Executive Engineer to stop the power supply till further orders.
The order also said that closure directions under Section 31(A) of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, read with Rule 20(A) of the Karnataka Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Rules, 1983, will be issued.
The KSPCB said it has issued the orders in the backdrop of non-compliance of the provisions of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act by Wells Studios and Entertainment Private Limited (Jolly Wood Studios and Adventures).
–IANS
maca/and