Statue of Unity put up ‘for sale’ on OLX for COVID-19 donations, police probe underway

Taking suo moto cognizance, after an article appeared in a local newspaper, the Statue of Unity authorities on Sunday approached the police to file a complaint against an unknown person for the listing.

Built at a cost of Rs 2,989 crores, the project took 42 months to complete. Apart from the statue itself, there are five other related sites that are constructed along with the world’s tallest statue. (Source: Reuters)

“An unknown person, with a malafide intention to defame the government had put up the Statue of Unity for sale on OLX, despite not being authorized to do so,” a release signed by Nilesh Dubey, Assistant Commissioner, Statue of Unity stated.

“It is appalling that the online marketplace OLX did not verify the post and approved it in the first place,” the release further added.

People flying kites near the Statue of Unity, the world’s tallest statue, during the International Kite Festival at Kevadiya Colony. (Source: AP)

An FIR has been registered under IPC section 505 (publishes, circulates any rumours), 417 (Punishment for cheating), 469 (forgery) and under relevant sections of the Information and Technology Act, against an unknown person.

“We had received the complaint from the authorities and have filed an FIR. We are now tracing the source of the listing as made on OLX,” a police official said.

A major tourist attraction since its inauguration on October 31st, 2018, the Statue of Unity has been closed for tourists since March 17 after a directive by the Gujarat government in view of COVID19 positive cases emerging in Gujarat.