New drama unfolds as Ram Gopal Varma agrees to appear “digitally” before police in Andhra CM case

Trust film director Ram Gopal Varma to indulge in things that make news. In connection with his alleged offensive posts against Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and others, the director has agreed to appear before the police only “digitally”. His lawyer made the strange request on November 25.

A case was booked against Ram Gopal Varma at Maddipadu police station in Prakasam district on November 11 for allegedly posting morphed photographs of Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and their family members in an "indecent" manner on social media.

'This is digital India'

In connection with the case, his lawyer stated, "There is no requirement for physical presence. Now Digital India has come. Likewise, digital policing has also come. So, (physical) presence is not required. Give us virtual mode (opportunity), we will cooperate virtually with the investigation.”

The lawyer added that the filmmaker intends to cooperate in the investigation but will only appear in “digital mode” as "digital policing is prevalent all over India now”.

The lawyer claimed that the new Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) law has such provisions. It allows probes in hybrid mode for "small cases" such as the one in which the director has been booked.

The lawyer added, "...RGV (Ram Gopal Varma) made no mistake. This is neither sedition nor international mafia. We will follow the rule of law.” He further said that his client sent this message to the police via WhatsApp and through speed post. Apparently both were “not yet responded to by the police".

As per local news channels, a state police team was seen waiting at the director's house.

Police to now take action against RGV?

In reply, Prakasam district superintendent of police A R Damodar told PTI, "He (Varma) did not turn up (for the investigation). We are going ahead legally. He was absent for the second time also. First time, he asked for more time and we gave him one week's permission,"

According to police sources, Varma was given permission till November 24 after he appealed for more time due to prior cinema shooting engagements. He was summoned for investigation on Monday.