Now activist Ghatpande receives a legal notice!

PUNE, Oct 8: Dr L R Bhojwani, chairman, Ram Laxman Hotels (owners of Holiday Inn) has refuted the allegations by public interest litigant...

PUNE, Oct 8: Dr L R Bhojwani, chairman, Ram Laxman Hotels (owners of Holiday Inn) has refuted the allegations by public interest litigant Arvind Ghatpande about illegal constructions and asked him to tender a written apology within three days and withdraw the notice or face a defamation suit.

Ghatpande had served a legal notice on Minister of State for Urban Development Ravindra Mane asking him to vacate the stay on the Pune Municipal Corporation demolishing the illegal constructions at Hotel Holiday Inn. Ghatpande had asked Rane to explain how the department could stay a decision of a court. He had threatened to file a petition in the Bombay High Court.

Bhojwani, who had been served a copy of the notice, made it clear that charges were false and baseless. He said Ghatpande had no locus-standi to send such a notice as the issue of the stay was pending before appropriate authority. He said Ghatpande should have verified relevant records before issuing the notice, which could even amount to misconduct under the provisions of the Advocates Act.

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Refuting the charge that Holiday Inn had approached the minister with mala fide intention instead of approaching the appellate court, Bhojwani said he was entitled to initiate proper legal proceedings under the provisions of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966.

He said Holiday Inn had not constructed any structure on the property owned by Ram Laxman Hotels as Holiday Inn was only a franchisee. The appeal and stay application had been filed as per Section 47 of the MRTP Act and the due process of law has been followed to secure a stay till the final disposal of the appeal which is not illegal, he said.

Bhojwani said he would have to file a defamation suit against Ghatpande if he did not withdraw the notice and tender a written apology. The cost of the notice of Rs 5000 would have to be borne by Ghatpande, he said.