Cancel plot allotment to Hema Malini, says Nirupam

Mumbai, Feb 4: Congress on Thursday, Feb 4 demanded that the BJP-led Maharashtra government should cancel the plot allotted to actress-turned-politician Hema Malini as she had allegedly violated CRZ provisions during a previous land dealing.

"The government should cancel land allotment to Hema Malini," MRCC chief Sanjay Nirupam told reporters here. She can't dictate terms to the government, he said.

In May 1998, a letter issued by district collector had said she had violated CRZ norms and destroyed mangroves, he alleged. "Action needs to be taken against Hema Malini as all are equal before law. Why isn't this government doing anything? It should file an FIR against her," Nirupam said.

"The government can't allot a plot to a defaulter. She is lying when she says she isn't aware of this," he charged.

The BJP promised to review the process of plot allotment. But now when they are in power, they have reneged on that promise and are allotting plots to their favourite people, he said.

This is double standard of BJP. Some of our colleagues have gone to court on this issue, he added. Hema Malini is facing heat from the opposition for securing a prime piece of land measuring 2,000 sq metres for her dance academy at Oshiwara in Andheri for a throwaway price of Rs 70,000.

An RTI query recently revealed that Malini allegedly violated the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Act by destroying mangroves on a plot previously given to her at Versova, for which a notice was served to her in 1998.

The 67-year-old BJP MP actress, however, had contended that an unnecessary row was being kicked up over the matter as she had already said that she would return the land at Versova once she takes possession of the new land allotted to her.

PTI