CINTAA drama: Upasana Singh files complaint against Poonam Dhillon-Padmini Kolhapure
What's the story
Actor Upasana Singh has filed a police complaint against former Cine and TV Artistes Association (CINTAA) president Poonam Dhillon and former vice-president Padmini Kolhapure. The complaint was filed at the Versova Police Station on Friday after an altercation between former CINTAA members Singh, Priti Sapru, and police officers. Dhillon and Kolhapure were also present at the spot. In a video from the incident, Singh can be seen asking a police officer to return certain papers that had been taken.
Allegations
'Padmini, Poonam were taking out CINTAA documents in a tempo'
Singh revealed to HT City, "An actor who was passing by called me and told me what was happening. I immediately reached there and called the police."
"A CINTAA member had raised concerns about irregularities in the documents and demanded a forensic jaanch. He felt that something was not right with them."
"After that, today I got to know that Padmini and Poonam were taking out CINTAA documents in a tempo."
Ongoing conflict
Incident comes ahead of CINTAA elections
The incident comes at a crucial time for CINTAA, with elections scheduled for Saturday, September 12.
Singh added, "We were trying to explain to the police that they can't even enter the CINTAA premises now that the elections have been approved."
"Taking the documents is an illegal move to cover their tracks."
The organization has been embroiled in an escalating internal dispute over its functioning, with allegations of unilateral decision-making against Dhillon and Kolhapure.
Resignation
Resignations from executive committee
The crisis deepened in August when 11 members, including eight elected executive committee members, resigned from CINTAA.
They alleged that key decisions were being taken without adequate consultation with the executive committee.
Dhillon rejected the allegations, calling them offensive, while CINTAA also disputed claims surrounding the dissolution of its executive committee.
Legal proceedings
Legal challenge to CINTAA elections
Amid the ongoing standoff, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) announced fresh CINTAA elections for Saturday.
Dhillon and Kolhapure subsequently challenged the polls legally.
On Wednesday, the court allowed the elections to proceed, with the outcome remaining subject to ongoing legal proceedings.