Mukesh Ambani land deal: Maha Minister talks tough

MUMBAI: Hours after Maharashtra Wakf Board issued notice to a Mukesh Ambani company seeking restoration of the plot in South Mumbai where the industrialist is building his dream mansion, State Wakf Minister Anees Ahmed on Thursday said violators of norms will not be spared.

"Nobody, however, big he may be, will be spared if found to have violated Wakf norms," he said. "We will not spare anyone who has violated Wakf rules," Ahmed said, without naming anyone.

"The government has asked the board to proceed as per provisions of the Wakf Act against those parties who have violated norms under Section 51 of the Act," the minister said.

Earlier in the day, the board issued notices to the Ambani company, Antilia Commercial Pvt Ltd, and four other parties, against whom the government had asked it to initiate proceedings for restoration of the lands in their possession to the board.

The land by Ambani was bought through Antilia Commercial.  The notice asks Antilia Commercial to explain, within a week of the receipt of the notice, why the 4532 sq metre plot on Altamount Road should not be restored to the Board as it was acquired in contravention of norms under Wakf Act.