Actor Gippy Grewal arrested in Patiala over shoot without permission

Tribune News Service

Patiala, May 1

The police today booked Punjabi singer-turned-actor Gippy Grewal and his crew for violating the District Magistrate’s weekend lockdown orders by shooting for his upcoming movie “without permission” at a Banur village in Patiala district here.

The police said Grewal and his crew were arrested from Karala village in Banur where the shooting was on at a house located in the fields. However, the singer and his team were later released on bail.

A police team led by Banur police station SHO Balwinder Singh raided the site after receiving information about a film shoot without prior permission.

“The crew was busy shooting climax scenes when we reached the spot. The crew members and the actor were taken into custody,” said a police official.

Grewal failed to show permission for the shoot and a case was registered. Sources said as soon as the singer was arrested, certain politicians and senior police officials allegedly intervened.

Villagers claimed when the state was reeling under the pandemic and the death rate was at an all-time high, shooting for a movie at the village was “sheer callousness” on part of the crew and villagers who rented out the building.

“Over 100 persons were at the location but fled when the police raided it. It is so easy to catch the virus and spread it. These actors should act responsibly,” said a villager.

Meanwhile, Grewal claimed he had applied for permission but his request was still pending. He said it was their last day of shoot and that they were following the Covid protocol.

The police have registered a case under Sections 188 of the IPC, 51 of the Disaster Management Act and 3 of the Epidemic Act.