Himmatnagar:

A local businessman, who was in to fishing business, has alleged that Congress MLA from Bayad seat in Aravalli district of North Gujarat, Dhaval Zala had intentionally disturbed his business and then demanded Rs 40 lakh to let him do it smoothly.

The businessman has also sent an audio CD with the complaint letter to police via post claiming that it contained a telephonic conversation in which the MLA can be heard demanding money from him.

Hasmukh Patel, a resident of Hadiyol village in Sabarkantha district neighbouring Aravalli, has sent the complaint and audio CD to A-division police of Himmatnagar which has though not lodged any formal FIR in this regard as yet but has initiated formal primary investigation about the matter.
PI of A-division A T Patel today said that Hasmukh Patel in his complaint received through post yesterday, has claimed that he had got the fishing contract in Vatrak Dam near Malpur under the assembly constituency of Zala last year. He had got the contract through bidding. Zala with an intention to extort money had incited locals to create obstacles in his business and later demanded the money to let it run smoothly.

‘We have not yet lodged the formal complaint. We have asked Hasmukh Patel to come in person and after talking to him we would decide the next course of action. The audio CD would also be verified as per the due procedure involving the FSL if the need be,’ he said.

To a query he said that the complaint can be lodged against the MLA if substance was found in the allegation. In that case Zala could also be interrogated.

DeshGujarat