BANGALORE: Police are waiting to question professional comedian Ritu Vasu Primlani for allegedly collecting money in the name of environmental idol Salumarada Thimmakka.The Delhi-based comic, now visiting Bangalore, allegedly used the name of Thimmakka to collect funds in the US. Childless Thimmakka and her husband planted 286 trees on a highway and nurtured them like children.
On May 9, 2014, Thimmakka, now 102 years old, filed a private complaint against Thimmakka’s Resources for Environmental Education in the US, set up by Ritu.Thimmakka charged Ritu with cheating after visiting her two years ago. On the pretext of seeking her autograph, Ritu allegedly took her thumb impression on a blank paper.
Ramanagaram SP Anupam Agarwal told Express, “We had sent a notice to Ritu, who perfomed in Bangalore on Friday, asking her to appear for questioning on Saturday or Sunday.”
She had not turned up till late on Saturday. “We will take action against her if she does not show up,” he said.
Who is Ritu?
Ritu Primlani’s website describes her as ‘one of the most prominent social entrepreneurs in the US’. Ritu is also a business speaker and conducts workshops in India and the US and has served as director of the Ecotel brand of green hotels in India.