Gujarat builder says faces threat from BJP MLA

A builder who is facing action from the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation for demolishing public toilets in Shahpur area allegedly without permission has filed a court complaint alleging that BJP MLA Bharat Barot and corporator Madan Lodha had threatened him in an attempt to extort money.

Builder Ghanshyam Bhagwan Patel’s complaint was received by Madhavpura police station on Monday. In his complaint,Patel stated that Barot and Lodha had threatened him of dire consequences if he did not pay Rs two crore to them. He also stated that the two had been “influencing” top AMC top officials to create hurdles in his realty projects.

Madhavpura police inspector D S Patel said he was not aware of details.

When contacted,Barot said Patel was making allegations against him since he had opposed the demolition of the AMC’s pay-and-use toilets. “After my and Lodha’s protests,the AMC had filed a criminal complaint against him. He is doing all this to divert attention and cover up his deeds,” Bharot said.