Kapil Sharma exposes corruption in BMC, says officer demanded Rs 5 lakh bribe
Comedian Kapil Sharma on Friday morning lashed out against an officer from Mumbai’s civic body, who reportedly demanded bribe from him to approve the construction work of his office.
Sharma, who is one of India’s most popular comics and a household name thanks to his television show, took to his microblogging account to share his frustration over paying a bribe of Rs 5 lakh to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), despite being a tax-paying citizen.
He also tagged the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his tweet, which read, “I am paying 15 cr income tax from last 5 year n still i have to pay 5 lakhs bribe to BMC office for making my office @narendramodi”
I am paying 15 cr income tax from last 5 year n still i have to pay 5 lacs bribe to BMC office for making my office @narendramodi
— KAPIL (@KapilSharmaK9) September 9, 2016
Sharma’s tweet quickly went viral, with over 3,000 people re-tweeting it within a span of 3 hours. The comedian has over 62 lakh followers on his microblogging account.
In another tweet, he questioned the PM if these are the ‘acche din’ he had promised during the 2014 general elections.
Yeh hain aapke achhe din ? @narendramodi
— KAPIL (@KapilSharmaK9) September 9, 2016
The Shiv Sena ruled BMC has faced many corruption related charges over the years. But in most cases, it’s the common man who had tried to voice his angst. A direct allegation from a notable personality like Sharma is practically unheard of.
Later, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis took cognisance of the matter and tweeted to Sharma, “Kapilbhai pls provide all info. Have directed MC,BMC to take strictest action. We will not spare the culprit.@KapilSharmaK9 @narendramodi”
Kapilbhai pls provide all info.
Have directed MC,BMC to take strictest action.
We will not spare the culprit.@KapilSharmaK9 @narendramodi— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) September 9, 2016
Following his tweet, the civic body reportedly asked the comedian to make a formal complaint and name the officer who demanded bribe from him.
The BMC vigilance chief engineer Manohar Pawar also issued a statement saying that the civic body takes a serious view of the corruption. He also requested the actor to disclose the name of person to enable the civic body to take strict action of the matter.
Update: https://localpress.co.in/2016/09/kapil-vs-bmc-new-information-suggests-comic-flouted-rules-construct-office/