Know The Kannada Actors Raided Over Tiger Claw Jewellery Controversy

The Forest Department recently conducted raids at the residences of several prominent Kannada film industry figures, including actors Darshan Thoogudeepa and Jaggesh, actor-politician Nikhil Kumaraswamy, film producer Rockline Venkatesh and Vinay Guruji in Shivamogga. The raids came after reports that these individuals were photographed wearing tiger claws at some point, and the authorities were investigating these claims.

Media reports suggested that pendants found in the celebrities’ homes were submitted to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for verification. One of the properties searched was that of actor Darshan in RR Nagar, Bengaluru, where officials discovered a pendant resembling a tiger claw. However, according to the forensic examination, it was a plastic nail but an imitation of a tiger’s claw.

Concurrently, a case has been registered against film producer Rockline Venkatesh, who was visited by forest officials and issued a notice to attend an inquiry. Nevertheless, as reported, Venkatesh, known for his role in the film Lingaa, did not attend the proceeding. Notably, Kannada actor Jaggesh had previously discussed receiving a tiger claw pendant as a gift from his mother. He shared that his mother bestowed it upon him because she perceived him as resembling a tiger with tiger claws.

This development follows the recent arrest of Varthur Santhosh, a participant in the popular reality show “Bigg Boss Kannada,” who was found wearing a similar pendant. Legal complaints were filed against him for alleged violations of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, leading to the Forest Department’s swift action against others seen sporting such lockets. Notably, it was not just actors; individuals from various backgrounds, including priests and businessmen, were found in possession of these pendants.

In response to these incidents, Karnataka’s Minister of Forest, Ecology, and Environment, Eshwar Khandre, has urged celebrities to refrain from wearing fake tiger claws or similar ornaments. He emphasized that public figures have numerous fans who might be inspired to adopt the same fashion, driving up demand and inadvertently encouraging the illegal trade that is banned in India. Khandre warned that wearing or possessing items associated with wildlife could have severe consequences and contribute to the endangerment of these species.