Four of DNA Networks held for Metallica fiasco

The arrested persons,including DNA general manager (operations),have been booked for cheating,police said. The accused have been identified as Umesh Chinara (Delhi),Ashok Kumar (Maharashtra),Rajesh (Bangalore) and Severa Fillero (Mumbai).

Police said the four were trying to leave the event venue after the concert was called off on Friday evening.

They were produced in court,which sent them to six-day police custody. Police also plan to request the court to not grant bail to the four till the ticket amount is refunded to the spectators.

Commissioner of Police S S Deswal said the organisers did not share their plans of cancelling the event with the police.

“So many people were upset as the concert was cancelled. Their money went down the drain. They (the organisers) did not consult us and that is why the vandalism took place. It could have resulted in a serious law and order issue,” said Deswal.

Karuna Prithvi,Manager of PR at DNA Networks,told Newsline that their lawyers are discussing the issue and the company will be able to comment only after a decision is taken.

Deswal also said that the Metallica event was granted liquor licence,though they had earlier issued an advisory to the district administration and the Excise and Taxation department that such gatherings must not be allowed to serve liquor.

Senior officials of the Excise and Taxation department,meanwhile,said the organisers had a No Objection Certificate from police,and therefore the licence was granted.

Saying that the administration was kept in the dark about the cancellation,Deputy Commissioner P C Meena said the organisers should have discussed the matter with the authorities before taking such a call.

“It could have led to a bigger law and order situation. Who would have been held responsible in such a case?” asked the Deputy Commissioner.

He said serious action will be initiated against the organisers. “They might also be banned from hosting further events,” said Meena.

The administration plans to write to the Chennai bank to freeze the Rs 1-crore guarantee deposited by the organisers.

The administration has also sent a fax message to the Indian Bank in Bangalore to seize the bank account of the organisers and not allow any transaction without clearance from Gurgaon.

“From Next time,we will take a bank guarantee equal to the amount of the sale of tickets,” said Meena. According to estimates,tickets worth Rs 11 crore were sold for the Gurgaon event.