Uttar Pradesh DGP Javeed Ahmad, who took over only on January 1, faces his first big challenge. No, it's not the crime or law and order situation in the state. He is expected to probe the making of a short film.That might sound strange. But, a closer look at the plot explains the situation. The short film to be produced by Dark Light Films of New Delhi focuses on the alleged harassment of UP cadre IPS officer Amitabh Thakur ever since he lodged an FIR against the Yadav chieftain last year.Amitabh, an Inspector General (IG) rank officer who has remained suspended ever since he dared to irk the SP supremo, had asked the state's home department permission to act in the film. In turn, the department has asked the UP DGP to submit a report on 15 counts relating to the film. The queries cover a wide range of issues about the film's plot, its finances, the producer's antecendents, political affiliations and even whether Dark Light Films is registered under the Cinematograph Act 1952!"This is a ridiculous attempt to block production of the short film," says Amitabh's wife and social activist Nutan Thakur who recently joined the BJP. "The absurd part is that only two of the 15 queries actually come under the DGP's jurisdiction," she said. No official comment was available on the matter.

COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING

The tussle between Amitabh and Mulayam started after the former lodged an FIR alleging that the SP chief had threatened him on phone on July 10, 2015, asking him to desist from raking up issues against the Akhilesh Yadav government. The IPS officer and his wife, have often put the SP government in the dock over a variety of matters.The Home Department has sought detailed info about the antecedents of the producer, director, writer, photographer (sic) and distributor. The DGP is also expected to delve into the financial credentials of the producer Sandeep Dube, and check whether he has a criminal record!In addition, the inquiry would also include details on the present status of the case filed by Amitabh against Mulayam and what the latter feels about permitting the IPS officer to act in the film. That's not all. The status of the case Nutan Thakur has filed against UP mining minister Gayatri Prajapati also forms part of the questionnaire along with a query about the impugned minister's views about the film. Fishing for the required information could be a tough job for Javeed, who would need to draw on all the investigative expertise gained during his long stint with the CBI to crack this one.