Actor and activist Ahimsa Chetan filed a police complaint at Seshadripuram Police Station in Bengaluru on Saturday, 3 May 2025, against producer and former President of the Rajkumar Fans Association, Sa Ra Govindu, alleging abusive language, intimidation, and threats. The complaint was submitted jointly with members of several pro-people organisations and has been acknowledged by the police.

Background: The Land Allotment Controversy

The dispute stems from Chetan's questioning of the Karnataka government's decision to allot 2.5 acres of land in central Bengaluru in 2006 for a memorial complex dedicated to Kannada cinema legend late Dr. Rajkumar. On 24 April, Chetan wrote on social media that while Dr. Rajkumar is widely respected as a great artist, it is necessary to question whether allocating such a large tract of prime land for an actor's memorial complex was a prudent use of public resources. He argued that land is a critical issue in 21st-century India and should be distributed by the state government keeping future public needs in mind, rather than for what he called opportunistic electoral gains. Chetan had subsequently tendered apologies for some of his remarks.

What Chetan Alleged

According to Chetan, a group of activists visited Govindu's residence on 25 April, where the alleged incident took place. "When we reached his house, he used abusive language, threatened us, and issued intimidation near the premises," Chetan alleged while speaking to reporters after filing the complaint. He added that several people, including police personnel and members of the media, were present at the time, and that Govindu's statements had also appeared in the media.

Chetan further alleged that Govindu had previously barged into the Lankesh Patrike office and assaulted media personnel, and accused him of involvement in financial irregularities in the film industry. He also alleged that Govindu had made remarks against Dalits, and said that organisations would continue their protest on that issue separately. "He indulges in intimidation and creates fear through strong-arm tactics," Chetan alleged, adding that Govindu was "misusing the name of Dr. Rajkumar" and was "not worthy of calling himself a fan."

Govindu's Alleged Reaction

Objecting to Chetan's public questioning of the land allotment, Govindu had reportedly threatened Chetan at his residence, according to the complaint. Chetan alleged that Govindu acted with arrogance and engaged in what he described as "goondaism." NationPress could not independently verify the specific allegations against Govindu, and his response to the complaint was not immediately available.

Police Response and Next Steps

The complaint, submitted with supporting evidence, has been acknowledged by the Seshadripuram Police Station. According to Chetan, the police have informed the complainants that a case will be registered after taking legal opinion. The complaint was filed by multiple organisations jointly, signalling a broader coalition of support for the challenge to the land allotment decision. The matter is expected to draw further attention given the deep reverence accorded to Dr. Rajkumar across Karnataka's cultural and political landscape.