Man held for posing as jury member of film fest

HYDERABAD: A person, who claimed himself to be a jury member of the 17th International Children’s Film Festival was arrested after organisers found he is a conman and enjoying facilities meant for delegates since start of the event. He even secured an accommodation at a five-star hotel at Gacchibowli but was caught when he tried for reimbursement of his flight ticket and other expenses.According to police and organisers, the person has been attending all events since November 14 at Shilparamam and mingled with organisers, mediamen and even went on giving suggestions on children’s films.Police could identify him only as Rukshesh, aged around 30 years. “He managed to obtain a delegate pass to enter the festival and enjoyed other facilities pretending to be an official delegate and also a representative of the Children’s Film Society of India,” police said.Neither the hotel authorities or organisers doubt his credentials as he identified himself as a ‘jury’.It was during the time of reimbursement to delegates towards their expenses that Rukshesh got exposed. “Rukshesh asked for reimbursing his flight ticket and other expenses and when officials verified his pass, they found the person is not authenticated to avail the facilities and he is not a jurist,’’ police said. He actually came in a train but sought reimbursement for flight charges.During questioning, Rukshesh claimed himself to be a freelance film journalist from Himachal Pradesh but police said he is a resident of Begumpet.Based on a complaint by the CFSI officials, police registered a case under Section 420 (cheating) and remanded him to judicial custody.