Dhari MLA grilled in extortion case

AHMEDABAD: BJP MLA from Dhari, Nalin Kotadiya, was grilled by the crime branch officials for about three and half hours on Friday in connection with the Rs 2 crore extortion complaint lodged against him by builder Madhubhai Vasani.
Kotadiya alleged that Vasani had used foul language against him and the Patidars.
Kotadiya reached the crime branch office with several PAAS leaders including Reshma Patel.Talking to media after being grilled by the crime branch sleuths, Kotadiya said that he suspected that the complaint was politically motivated as he had openly supported the Patidar agitation. Kotadia said that he had gone to Vasani's office but not to extort money. "I was called there. However, as Vasani used abusive language I got angry and a scuffle ensued. His gold necklace which had broken in the scuffle was given back to him by my driver," added Kotadiya.
Vasani had alleged that Kotadiya had tried to extort Rs 2 crore from him saying he was instrumental in getting the land use norms changed for him. "A complaint in this regard was lodged with the Vastrapur police station and was later transferred to the crime branch," said a senior crime branch official. Kotadiya admitted that he had recommended to the state government to change land use norms for Vasani but that was out of good relations, not for money.