Chennai film crew arrested for demolishing French-era bridge wall

Puducherry: A Chennai-based film unit was arrested after they allegedly demolished a portion of the parapet wall of a bridge here, built by the French in 1840 across the Sankarabarani river, while shooting, police said today. Two members of the film crew were arrested and cases under IPC section 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of Rs 50) and section 3 (mischief causing damage to public property) of Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act registered were registered against them, police Superintendent Palanivelu said. [caption id=“attachment_530200” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Reuters[/caption] The crew allegedly demolished a few metres of the parapet wall while shooting a scene for the Tamil movie, ‘Irandaavathu’ directed by Amudhan, police said. Local AIADMK legislator P Purushothaman and former PMK legislator R K R Anandaraman and a large number of villagers, who noticed the demolition yesterday, protested. This bridge, which was abandoned after the government constructed a new bridge some years ago, has, however, been used by morning walkers, cyclists and those riding light vehicles commuting between Puducherry and Cuddalore. A bulldozer and other equipment the film unit had allegedly used for the demolition were seized, sources said, adding, police are on the lookout for another person who is said to be absconding. The two arrested crew members have been remanded to 15 days judicial custody, Palanivelu said. PTI