Bollywood actress, Anushka Sharma who is currently riding high on the success of her last onscreen outing, 'Phillauri' has found herself in trouble with BMC. Anushka, who along with her family resides on the 20th floor of Badrinath towers in Mumbai has been accused by the other residents of illegally installing an electric junction box on the floor aisle.
Former secretary, Sunil Batra, in his complaint to the BMC, said the electricity box has been 'illegally' installed, and that this is not the rules that Sharmas' have flouted. While the BMC recently wrote to the family regarding the box, the actress' spokesperson denied Batra's allegations and rubbished them as 'baseless'. The spokesperson further added that the electric box was installed 'only after all permissions were in place'. Batra further added that he had first alerted the Fire Brigade about the box, and was asked to complain to the BMC. Talking about his complain Batra said, "The civic officials inspected the premises and found the electric junction box `highly objectionable'. They have asked the Sharmas to remove it."
Further, Batra also quoted off the letter issued by K Ward assistant engineer (Building and Factory, BMC), to Sharmas', which reads: To the owners/occupiers of flat Nos 2001 and 2002, the installation of electric junction box in the common passage area of society is highly objectionable. You are directed to remove the box otherwise necessary action will be initiated as per the MMC Act." The letter was issued on April 6.
Airing his grievances further, Batra said, "The family has kept a wooden cupboard in the passageway, encumbering it further.Even their air-conditioner's shaft is placed precariously on the outer ledge, which is not meant for taking such weight. It has already developed cracks."
When quizzed that why was this matter of security concern not discussed with the society's managing committee, Batra said that the society committee was "hand-in-glove" with the Sharmas'.
However, slamming the reports of illegal construction, Anushka's spokesperson said, "The actress owns three flats on the 20th floor, and all permissions since 2013 are in place. Anushka and her family are law abiding and responsible citizens and wouldn't do anything to inconvenience or harm anyone."
While it seem like Batra is just playing the role of an aware citizen, a society resident on the condition of anonymity revealed that Batra had a personal axe to grind. "This particular individual claiming that the construction is illegal, himself has multiple illegal parking spaces, apart from other illegal constructions in and around his house," the resident revealed.
The resident further added that since Batra was ousted as secretary of the building following a consensus among several residents, including Anushka's father Col (retired) Ajay Kumar Sharma, he probably wants to seek vendetta. "He wants to take his personal vendetta into public domain by throwing around a celebrity's name, such as Anushka's, as she is a public figure," the resident added.
