India, Oct. 29 -- A fter months of a bitter leadership battle at the Cine and TV Artistes' Association (CINTAA), actor Upasana Singh says her committee took charge on October 27. The takeover follows a dispute involving rival elections and court proceedings, even as Singh has alleged that fixed deposits worth Rs.73 lakh belonging to the association were broken and the money transferred to another account. "When everyone said that Upasana Singh should be the president, it showed the confidence people have in me. I am looking forward to working with them for the betterment of the organisation," Singh, who previously served as CINTAA's general secretary, tells us. The row began in August when 11 executive committee members resigned amid differences with then-president Poonam Dhillon and senior vice-president Padmini Kolhapure over the association's functioning. Fresh elections were held on September 12 under the supervision of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), with Singh securing the highest number of votes. However, Dhillon and Kolhapure's faction challenged the legitimacy of the polls, taking the dispute to court. While the September election was allowed to proceed subject to pending legal proceedings, the rival faction held a separate election on October 20. The Bombay High Court subsequently restrained the faction from acting on those results and issued a contempt show-cause notice over alleged violations of its earlier directions. "On October 21, we filed a contempt petition. The judge got very upset and asked them to explain how this did not amount to contempt of court. They (Padmini and Poonam) have to give an explanation on November 18," Singh says. Her committee assumed charge on October 27. "We performed the puja and started our work," she adds. Singh has also raised allegations concerning CINTAA's finances. "The person who used to look after our accounts told us that FDs worth Rs.73 lakh had been broken. This is the money of CINTAA's actors. Four banks did not allow the accounts to operate freely, but Punjab National Bank opened an account, and the money was transferred there," she alleges. Asked whether her committee intends to recover the funds, Singh says, "Definitely. That is why this fight is going on." She also alleges that important association documents were moved elsewhere, affecting its functioning. When contacted Dhillon, she said the matter is sub judice, and refused to comment further....