Ravindra Waikar, Minister of State for Housing and Shiv Sena leader, said on Friday that he would file a ₹10-crore defamation suit against Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam for maligning his image by making baseless allegations.
Mr. Nirupam had accused Mr. Waikar of constructing an illegal gym at Aarey Colony. The Lokayukta had recently said the case was not in their jurisdiction as Waikar was an MLA when the gym was constructed.
Mr. Nirupam rubbished Mr. Waikar claims that the Lokayukta had given him a clean chit in the case. He said, “Lokayukta has not given him clean chit. By no means it is a clean chit.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Mr. Nirupam questioned Mr. Waikar’s decision to hand over the gym to the Collector’s office. Last year, he accused a trust promoted by the Minister’s kin of usurping public land. He also alleged that Mr. Waikar had undertaken illegal construction in Aarey Colony and owned property worth ₹900 crore.
“If Nirupam will prove that I own such property, I will give him brokerage for it,” Mr. Waikar said.