MAPUSA
In scant regard to rule of law, a BJP councillor along with his ex-councillor father targeted one specific shop for alleged illegal extension in Khorlim, Mapusa and moved to knock it down but had to beat a hasty retreat for failing to provide a written order from the authorities.
Newly elected councillor Viraj Phadke and his dad Vinod (Balu) Phadke who is a former councillor of the Mapusa Municipal Council along with some civic workers attempted to remove an alleged illegal extension of a selective shop in Khorlim Xim.
The duo, however, was challenged by another former councillor, Tushar Tople who requested them to produce a written order from the chief officer to carry out the purported “demolition”.
Former councillor, Vinod Phadke tried to justify the action stating that they were not carrying out a demolition but trying to clear the illegal extension of plastic cover in front of the shop.
“The Chief Officer has to issue a written communiqué to remove illegal extensions in the jurisdiction of the Mapusa Municipal Council. It’s not fair to clear illegal extension without a written order from the authority,” Tople said.
The shop is owned by Shubam Toraskar, son of MGP leader Bharat Toraskar.
Incidentally, the Phadkes also managed to get police protection to carry out their illegal move.
Sources informed that the main reason for the highhanded action of the father-son duo was to seek political revenge.
In the recent civic elections, former councillor Vinod Phadke had fielded his son Viraj Phadke from ward 16 while Bharat Toraskar had fielded his son Shubam from the same ward.
Sources further disclosed that soon after the formation of the council, the father-son duo has been making every attempt to harass Bharat Toraskar who has another shop in the municipal market.
Chairperson plays down incident
MAPUSA
Trying to play down the incident, Chairperson of Mapusa Municipal Council, Shubhanghi Vaigankar said it was neither a demolition drive nor clearing of any illegal extension and the councillor had gone to take stock of the illegalities in town.
“One of our councillors had gone to check if the shop owners had indulged in any form of illegalities in that particular area. Nothing was removed or demolished,” Vaigankar said, while trying to wriggle out of the situation.
She, however, admitted that no illegal extension or demolition can be carried out without any written order from the chief officer.
