Lawyer files case against Kapil Sharma

Since comedian Kapil Sharma’s controversial tweet on last Friday, his troubles seem to be increasing everyday. Following the forest department’s inspection of Mr Sharma’s Andheri bungalow backyard, for alleged destruction of mangroves, advocate Abha Singh has now filed a case against Mr Sharma.

She has demanded the registeration of an FIR against Mr Sharma for failing to discharge his duty as a responsible citizen by not submitting the name of the corrupt official to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) even four days after he alleged corruption.

She has also alleged Mr Sharma has violated the Environment Protection Act, by destroying mangroves in his backyard.

Speaking to The Asian Age, Ms Singh said, “The case against Kapil Sharma has been admitted for hearing in the railway mobile court at Andheri. It will be heard by Judge Amitabh Panchabhai.”

Ms Singh said that not only had Mr Sharma made illegal extensions to his standalone bungalow in Andheri, he also had failed to maintain the mandatory 50-metre buffer between construction of his compound wall and the mangroves. This land comes under the Coastal Regulation Zone, and he should have approached not only BMC for permissions but also Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA).

She said, “So he has violated mandates under the Environment Protection Act, which is a non-bailable offence. Also, Sharma has failed to do his duties as a responsible citizen. Remaining mum about demands of a bribe by a government official is also an offence. He has still not approached any authority with the names of the officials he alleges demanded a Rs 5-lakh bribe from him.”

Ms Singh has alleged that even though it has not yet come to light, Mr Sharma can be booked under the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning (MRTP) Act as well, for illegal alterations to his Andheri standalone bungalow. Ms Singh has demanded that an FIR be lodged against Mr Sharma for the above three offences.