The ‘horse racing' organised by Sankalp Pratishthan, an NGO headed by state minister for housing Sachin Ahir's wife Sangita, has come under the scanner for allegedly violating environmental rules.
Sankalp Pratishthan, which is well known for its annual Dahihandi celebrations at the Jambori Ground in Worli, is organising a horse race at the same venue starting December 15. The NGO is embroiled in a controversy as the sand used to prepare the special track was lifted from the coast violating Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) rules.
Local Sena leader Arvind Bhosale has alleged that around 60 trucks of sand has been used to construct the temporary track for the horse race, which is a clear violation of environmental laws.
“Some citizens also complained about the degradation of Jambori Ground due to the event organised by Ahir. They are even building the sheds for the horses on the ground,” said Bhosale.
On Thursday afternoon, Bhosale went to the ground along with few media persons. He had a quarrel with some activists of the NGO and Ahir’s wife.
“She not only abused me in front of the crowd but also threatened to kill me,” said Bhosale. In a written complaint given to the Worli police, the copy of which is with DNA, the Sena leader has demanded action against the minister’s wife. When this correspondent tried to contact Ahir, he was told that she was busy in a programme and will not be able to comment on the issue.
Sena activists are also planning to file a PIL in the Bombay High Court against the violation of environmental laws. “We will be sending the sand samples to the laboratory and after getting the report from them, a PIL will be filed against Sankalp Pratisthan,” said Bhosale.
Bhosale had filed a PIL against Ahir for destroying Jambori Ground during the Dahihandi festival in 2010.
