Bihar MLA Anant Singh defies law to open mall
BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi alleged that the Patna district administration and police officials remained mute spectators as the legislator inaugurated the mall.
The opening of a swanky shopping mall owned by controversial Janata Dal (United) legislator Anant Singh has kicked up a storm in Bihar. The legislator reportedly flouted several norms to build the mall in Patna.
Anant, the bahubali (strongman) legislator from Mokama who first shot into limelight by brandishing an AK-47 at a public event more than a decade ago, inaugurated the seven-storey mall located on Fraser Road in the heart of the city last week.
According to reports, Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) commissioner Kuldeep Narayan, who has been running a campaign against illegal constructions at the directive of Patna High Court, had written a letter to the district administration and police to prevent the inauguration of the mall in view of the violation of building bylaws.
He said the inauguration of the mall would be tantamount to the contempt of court since the high court was monitoring the case. But no action was reportedly taken to stop the inauguration.
The legislator took a stroll with his supporters as the mall was formally declared open.
This evoked sharp response from the Opposition parties. Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said the inauguration of the mall under the patronage of the state government was a pointer to the return of the 'jungle raj' in the state.
"A part of the mall has been declared illegal by the court of the Patna municipal commissioner but it was inaugurated with fanfare in full public view," he said.
Sushil alleged that the Patna district administration and police officials remained mute spectators as the legislator inaugurated the mall.
He said the corporation had issued orders for demolition of the top two floors of the mall besides the razing of the annexe for violation of building bylaws.
The building tribunal had also upheld the order and did not give any relief to the legislator, he added.
Denying that he had inaugurated the mall, Anant said the property had been handed over to the mall proprietors on rent in 2012 and they were already doing their business.
He said a function had been organised there as a public relation exercise during Durga Puja which he attended.
Threatening to file a defamation case against the BJP leader, Anant said there was no dispute over the first five floors of the building on which the shopping mall had come up. "In any case, the disputed sixth and seventh floors have not been opened," he stated.
He said that Sushil was making baseless allegations against him without checking documents.