BJP corporator to pay BMC ₹24 lakh after fight over illegal banners

After getting complaints about illegal banners being put up by a foundation headed by BJP corporator MurjiPatel and his wife, BMC staff had gone to the spots to remove the banners. However, seven people owing allegiance to Patel assaulted them.

After being issued contempt notice for violating a Bombay high court (HC) order on illegal posters and banners, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) corporator Murji Patel from Andheri on Wednesday offered to pay ₹24 lakh to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to compensate the civic body and its staff whom Patel’s supporters had assaulted last year.

The Bombay HC granted a chance to BJP corporator Murji Patel to accept responsibility for the banners, tender apology and offer adequate compensation to BMC and its staff.(HT Photo)

The incident took place on January 31, 2018 in Andheri. After getting complaints about illegal banners being put up by a foundation headed by Patel and his wife, civic staff had gone to the spots to remove the banners. However, seven people owing allegiance to Patel assaulted them.

As the action was taken pursuant to HC orders of January 31, 2017, the BMC moved a plea seeking action for contempt of court against Patel and his supporters. On October 18, 2018 the HC issued contempt notices to them. Patel and his supporters appeared in court through their counsel on February 25. The HC granted a chance to Patel to accept responsibility for the banners, tender apology and offer adequate compensation to BMC and its staff.

In response, Patel tendered an unconditional apology and offered to “voluntarily donate” in four weeks a sum of ₹24 lakh to the civic body and the civic staff.