In what could spell more trouble for BJP MP Hema Malini who is caught in a land allotment controversy, a fresh RTI query revealed that the actress allegedly violated the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Act by destroying mangroves on a plot previously given to her at Versova, for which a notice was served to her in 1998.
The actress, however, contended that an unnecessary row was being kicked up over the matter as she had already said that she would return the land at Versova once she takes possession of the land recently alloted to her.
The actress-turned-politician is already facing heat from the opposition for securing a prime piece of land admeasuring 2000 sq metres for her dance academy in Oshiwara at Andheri for a throwaway price of Rs70,000. As per the information furnished by Mumbai Suburban Collector in response to the query filed by RTI activist Anil Galgali, Malini was allotted a plot in Versova village (of Andheri taluka), bearing survey no 161, admeasuring 1741.89 sq. M, whose possession was handed over to her on April 4, 1997.