Nikitesh Chaubal, whose complaint to BMC brought about the teardown of unauthorised bits in the comedian's office, tells Mirror the illegal construction also killed mangroves
Chaitanya Marpakwar (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 11, 2016)

The tragedy that befell comic Kapil Sharma after he built illegal extensions at his Andheri office and before he invoked the prime minister over an alleged bribe demand by a city official, was brought on by a 26-year-old activist from Andheri — Nikitesh Chaubal. He now wants to lodge a first information report against the man with a self-titled show on television.

It was Chaubal's complaint in June made to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) which prompted the administration to issue a stop-work notice to Sharma in July. And when the TV star forged ahead with the construction, the city demolished illegal portions of his office in August.

While Sharma tweeted to Narendra Modi on Friday saying a civic official was asking for Rs 5 lakh in grease money — without specifying for what — Chaubal doubts if any such incident came to pass.

"If any BMC official wanted to settle the matter by taking a bribe from Sharma, they would not have demolished the office. They acted on my complaint and I am satisfied with their response," Chaubal told Mirror.

In Friday's tweet alleging graft, Sharma also questioned if these were the prime minister's promised "acche din", sparking a flurry of riproaring comments on Twitter as people pointed out how a person making illegal extensions is petitioning the highest office of the land and crying corruption.

Chaubal thinks Sharma's hashtagging of Modi is pure gimmickry. "He has created a lot of hype by tweeting to Modi. He should set his house in order first," he said, adding that if Sharma did encounter genuine corruption, he should have filed a complaint with the Anti-Corruption Bureau or the BMC. "Making such allegations on a public forum without lodging a formal complaint is not fair. Our complaint was genuine and the BMC has done a fine job," Chaubal said.

It was a few years ago that Chaubal joined Jagrut Mumbaikar, a non-profit that helps people file RTIs, resolves civic issues, and keeps a watch on illegal constructions.

Earlier in the year, the comedian's neighbours and other Andheri residents had intimated Chaubal about the illegal construction. "People said Sharma wasn't paying any heed to their requests to stop the work. So we intervened and complained to the BMC," the Chaubal wants to see the issue through to its just end. He says the illegal construction is not an innocent slip-up but a deliberate disregard for the law, which also resulted in the destruction of mangroves. "I'll file a complaint with the suburban collector's office so an FIR is filed against Sharma. These are all very serious offences and he must be booked," Chaubal said, adding that BMC has assured him of all possible support.

Sharma could not be contacted for comment. He also failed to respond to the BMC's vigilance department, which wrote to him on Friday seeking details of his bribery allegation, like the name of the official. But they were still awaiting his response till late last evening.

"Sharma should give us the name of the officer who demanded bribe. We are awaiting his reply and hope he cooperates with us," said BMC's chief engineer Manohar Pawar.

Chaubal further stated he doesn't have an axe to grind with Sharma. "I have only seen him on TV," he said, and added, "We'll ensure he doesn't get away with the violations."

DAY AFTER TWEET, SLEW OF PLAINTS AGAINST SHARMA

RTI activists made a beeline outside Versova police station on Saturday to file complaints against Sharma for illegal construction; encroachment; destroying mangroves; violating coastal regulation zone norms; and for not approaching the police for a month after a bribe demand was made:

♦ RTI activist Santosh Daundkar

♦ RTI activist Asad Patel

♦ Godfrey Pimenta of Watchdog Foundation. He said, "Google Images from 2001and 2013 indicate that Sharma's bungalow has been extended horizontally, as well as seawards, which CRZ norms prohibit."

♦ BJP legislator Ram Kadam threatened to protest outside Sharma's residence, saying: "Sharma should reveal the bribe seeker's name in next 24 hours. If he does not, as a citizen of a democracy, I will myself go and protest outside his residence."

After Kapil sharma goes on a Twitter rant against PM Modi about being asked for aR5lakh bribe from BMC, civic body releases illegal construction notices sent to the comedian; politicos join slugfest
Varun Singh (MID-DAY; September 10, 2016)

After comedian Kapil sharma created a stir on Twitter yesterday morning when he alleged that BMC was demanding a Rs 5 lakh bribe from him, the civic body did not waste time in firing salvos at him either. BMC officials released two letters from July, when they had issued a notice to Sharma for carrying out illegal construction.

The BMC had sent the notice to Sharma on July 16 and even carried out a demolition on august 4. Confirming the same, assistant Municipal Commissioner of K-West ward (Andheri), Parag Masurkar said, “We had issued a notice on July 16 after finding illegal activities going on in the bungalow. Since Sharma did not comply with our norms, we had carried demolition of illegal extensions on August 4.”

Bribe accusations probed
As for Sharma’s corruption allegations, the BMC is also carrying out an investigation. Chief Engineer of Vigilance Department, Manohar Pawar said, “We have taken note of Sharma's complaint. We have asked details of the person who was demanding the bribe from Sharma. After Sharma will provide details, we will inquire into the matter and take action against the culprit.”

DCP (Cyber) Sachin Patil said, “BJP MLA Ram Kadam gave a complaint at the cyber police station, requesting probe in the allegations levelled by Sharma on Twitter against unknown BMC officials who asked him for a bribe. Since the matter comes under the purview of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), we are transferring this case to the ACB.”

Political slugfest begins
Even as an inquiry is yet to ascertain the truth, politicians across party lines have already picked sides. While the Chief Minister was prompt in responding to Sharma’s tweet and has ordered an inquiry, the opposition is calling the BMC a corrupt organisation and blaming Sena-BJP for it.

Meanwhile, the ruling sena-BJP alliance in the civic body is releasing letters and other documents on Sharma. Congress leader Nitesh Rane wore a mask of Sharma’s face and uploaded a video in which he said that problems faced by this person are being heard by the government, so he is wearing the mask and speaking out about his troubles. He also tweeted, “What’s the use of reacting to 1 Kapil sharma. There are many Kapil Sharmas in Mumbai who face the same trouble with the BMC every day, act on them too or its just another show of Comedy Nights with Devendra Fadnavis and Uddhav Thackeray.”

BMC leaders pitch in
Even leaders in the BMC didn’t let go of the opportunity. Rais Shaikh, Group Leader, Samajwadi Party said, “Shame that people have to go through this. BMC should contact Sharma and take details for action.” Then, Sanjay Nirupam, Mumbai Congress Chief, said, “Shiv Sena-BJP ruled BMC is the most corrupt municipality in the world. Nothing works here without a bribe.”

After the allegations of illegal extensions came up, Nirupam sided with Sharma further and said, “Why only Kapil Sharma’s house, illegal constructions exist in CM’s official bungalow and BMC headquarters too. The Maharashtra BJP office is illegal.”