Comedian Kapil lands in soup over graft charge
Mumbai, September 9
Comedian Kapil Sharma today landed himself in a soup after alleging that an official of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had demanded a bribe of Rs 5 lakh for constructing an office. The BMC, in turn, claimed the actor had carried out “illegal construction” at his office for which a notice had been served on him.
“I am paying 15-crore income tax from the last five years and still have to pay Rs 5 lakh bribe for making my office,” Sharma tweeted. The message went viral, especially after the comedian wondered whether the “acche din” promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi were already here.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis quickly intervened with his own message. “Have directed BMC to take strictest action. We will not spare the culprit,” Fadnavis tweeted.
Chief Engineer (Vigilance) Manohar Pawar of the BMC said the comedian had been called to provide the name of the officer who demanded the bribe so that action could be taken.
By afternoon, the comedian was in trouble after officials told mediapersons that Sharma was constructing an office illegally in a residential area.
Furthermore, the plot where the construction was taking place had mangroves on it which necessitated clearances from the environment ministry.
Civic officials pointed out that the BMC had sent notices to Sharma in July asking him to demolish the illegal constructions. It turns out that the property where the construction was being carried out was a ground floor plus open terrace residential property. Enclosing the terrace and turning it into commercial property was illegal, officials said.
BMC officials said the comedian was illegally extending the property by building on its backyard.
I am paying 15 cr income tax from last 5 year n still i have to pay 5 lacs bribe to BMC office for making my office
— KAPIL (@KapilSharmaK9)
Yeh hain aapke achhe din ?
— KAPIL (@KapilSharmaK9)
The post of Sharma, who has over 6.22 million followers on Twitter, was ‘retweeted’ and ‘liked’ by thousands on the social media platform.
Taking cognisance of the matter, Fadnavis requested Sharma to provide the authorities with necessary information to punish the culprit.
Kapilbhai pls provide all info.
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis)
Have directed MC,BMC to take strictest action.
We will not spare the culprit.
“Kapilbhai pls provide all info. Have directed MC, BMC to take strictest action. We will not spare the culprit,” the Chief Minister said in a tweet.
