Shahrukh Khan courts Controversy again

Mumbai, Aug 20: Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan is once again embroiled in a controversy. This time around it is not for dancing with a lady constable . This time around he has irked his neighbors in Bandra. It is regarding a ramp build by the Badshah for his vanity van outside Mannat. Several resident organisations filed numerous complaints against it. Now the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) chief on Tuesday instructed his team to “initiate action” against the ramp.

As per sources,The controversial ramp that is used to park the Badshah’s vanity van. Residents allege that it stands on public property and blocks access to the stairs that lead to Mount Mary Church from Bandstand. The Watchdog Foundation group wrote to the BMC asking for the ramp to be demolished as it was blocking access to the stairs leading to the church.

Advocate Godfrey Pimenta, a trustee of Watchdog Foundation said , “All we heard from the civic ward office was that they did not have the cadastral survey number of Mannat and hence could not initiate action. We were appalled by this response, which we received recently under the Right to Information Act.The authorities are shying away from taking action against Shah Rukh since he has connections in the right places. Why should we have double standards for illegal constructions — one for Campa Cola and another for an actor?”

The residents wrote to the municipal commissioner and even the chief minister demanding immediate action. Not stopping at that, they held a silent protest march outside Mannat on August 15. They also threatened criminal action if officers designated to initiate action did nothing. The residents’ demand is that the ramp should be demolished before September 8, failing which they will take matters into their own hands.

Reacting to it the municipal commissioner Sitaram Kunte wrote to assistant municipal commissioner of H-West Ward and the deputy municipal commissioner of the area asking for action.

Prashant Sapkale, assistant municipal commissioner of H-West Ward said,”I will send my team of engineers to inspect the site and take necessary action. We will have to see if permissions have been granted to construct any structure or ramp on the spot.”

We shall keep you informed on further developments regarding this issue.