MNS files complaint against Kapil Sharma

Ever since his tweet alleging that a civic official demanded bribe from him, Kapil Sharma has found himself at loggerheads with political parties. In a fresh episode of the same, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on Monday filed a complaint against the comedian with the Versova police station, for not disclosing the names of the corrupt officials. MNS leader in the BMC, Sandeep Deshpande has also demanded that his complaint be turned into an FIR. The police will now investigate the matter.

Mr Deshpande said, “My advocate has filed a complaint against Sharma, for failing to do his duties as a citizen. He is required to bring the corruption to the notice of the authorities, as soon as he encounters it. It has now been over three days since he alleged the charges against a civic official.”

The complaint registered with the Versova police reads that if public servants have demanded a bribe, the issue needs to be brought to the notice of the authorities concerned. If a citizen fails to do so, that is also an offence. Mr Deshpande said, “Sharma has failed to act as a responsible citizen. I have demanded that the police convert my written complaint into an FIR, and call Sharma for further investigation.”

Meanwhile, MNS general secretary, Shalini Thackeray also visited the tehsildar’s office in Andheri on Monday demanding the authorities register an FIR against Mr Sharma for destroying mangroves behind his house, and exploiting the environment. Following her visit, MNS confirmed that officials have agreed to conduct a panchnama of the area and submit their report to the Versova police. Last week, Mr Sharma dragged MNS into the picture following his tweet alleging corruption in the BMC by saying that several party workers had also sought to extort money from him.

BJP MLA Ram Kadam, who had earlier lodged a complaint with the cyber cell of Mumbai police, on Monday approached the Oshiwara police station to seek permission to hold protests outside Mr Sharma’s house. Mr Kadam said it has been over 24 hours since the tweet, and Mr Sharma had not handed over the name of the corrupt official to BMC. The Oshiwara police has asked Mr Kadam to seek permission in writing.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Congress president, Sanjay Nirupam said the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance and MNS were trying to divert the government and public’s attention from an issue of corruption, and targeting one man and bullying him.