Ahmedabad: A case against Dhari MLA Nalin Kotadiya under charges of demanding extortion money of Rs 2 crore from a builder, beating and snatching his gold chain and threatening to kill him was today lodged in the Vastrapur police station of the city even as the CCTV footage of the incident went viral.

PI of Vastrapur A D Parmar said that the FIR number 111/16 was lodged by builder Madhu Patel in which he has alleged that Mr Kotadiya had come to his office in Vastrapur area last night at around 2030 hrs and asked for Rs 2 crore as ‘protection money’ for a land matter. ‘When I refused to pay it, he went angry and scuffled with me, beaten me up and snatched my chain worth around Rs 60 thousand,’ the complainant has alleged.

‘We have lodged a case under section 114, 352, 325, 254 (b) and 506 (1) of the IPC against Mr Kotadiya and one unknown aide. The matter was being investigated,’ the PI said.

Meanwhile, Mr Kotadiya, who was elected on Gujarat Parivartan Party ticket from Dhari assembly segment of Amreli district in last election which later merged with BJP (from which he has openly distanced himself), again used Patidar card and claimed he was offered Rs 20 crore for ending the Patidar quota stir.

The complainant in this case is also one from the Patidar community. The matter is being investigated.

Kotadiya has been in news for wrong reasons for last over one year. Last year he openly asked the people of his constituency to kill the lions. Kotadiya’s constituency is located next to Gir sanctuary of Asiatic lions. He was holding agitation against Eco-sensitive zone notification. Prior to that Kotadiya had announced mass religious conversion of Patidar community people to other faith. In Bhavnagar district, Kotadiya had used derogatory language against woman Chief Minister that can’t be published here. Hardik Patel supporter MLA often shows fanatic postures for Patidar community.

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Complainant Madhubhai Vasani’s version: yesterday Kotadia suddenly came to my office and demanded extortion money. He used derogatory words. Two persons attacked me. My neck is still hurt and you can see how I was hurt. We came to Vastrapur police station last evening in order to file complaint, but there was no electricity in police station and therefore the procedures were done today. Kotadia had sought Rs 2 crore in two days. He issued threat to kill me if Rs 2 crore sum is not paid to him in two days. He threatened me and snatched away my chain. He has not helped us in clearance of any land. One and half year ago, as our land was suitable to get permission for construction we had applied for it. Kotadia was introduced to us by a relative. He had written a letter to government recommending clearance for our land. It was attached to our application. He had done nothing beyond this.

Kotadia’s version: Vasani is son-in-law of a friend. I had visited Chief Minister Anandiben Patel and also wrote a letter recommending clearance to his land. Then Patidar agitation started. I refused to leave Patidar agitation rejecting money offered to me. Two days back Keshubapa(Keshubhai Patel) called me as I was going to reveal a Rs 2,000 crore scam involving Anandiben Patel, state BJP treasurer Surendra Patel and others. Keshubhai told me to meet Ravjibhai Vasani(in order to settle the issue). Ravjibhai told me that I would be paid Rs 20 crore to stop participating in Patidar agitation and for that I should visit his office. Revelations I was about to make could kick Anandiben out of power. I went to office in Vastrapur to meet Ravjibhai. But Ravjibhai didn’t come. Madhubhai was there in the office. He started using derogatory language against Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti(PAAS) agitators and described Patidars as beggars. Madhubhai is liar. He has alleged I looted his Rupees and gold chain, but CCTV footage doesn’t show anything like this. I may land in custody, but PAAS will call a press conference in three days and share details of Rs 20,000 crore scam. I have Surendrakaka and Ravjibhai’s audio record that I’m supplying to media.

Lakshmipura land: The dispute between Kotadia and Vasanis is beleived to be about Lakshmipura land in Daskroi taluka of Ahmedabad. Prima facily it looks like Kotadia was expecting couple of crores of Rupees for the help he had extended for clearance of construction in Vasani’s land.

Trouble for Kotadia: He is in trouble because he has been caught in video while beating up other person. At least questioning followed by arrest is sure in this case looking at the developments as of now.

DeshGujarat