MUMBAI (TIP): Eyebrows were raised when actress and BJP MP Hema Malini was alloted land in Andheri for setting up a dance academy. Now in what could add fuel to the fire it transpires that the 2,000 square metre plot in Oshiwara in Andheri was given to her for a pittance, just Rs 70,000. The value of the plot is at least around Rs 40 crores.

It has come to light that the actress was alloted another plot of land in 1997 which she could not develop because it came under CRZ, however she did not hand over the plot back to the state government.

The details were revealed in reply to a query by RTI activist Anil Galgali who filed a query before the Mumbai suburban collector seeking details of the land being handed over to the actress and the correspondence with her in that regard.

“First of all the government hands over a prime plot at dirt cheap rates to an organization run by a party MP, which it self is questionable. Secondly the earlier plot of land given to Hema should have been taken back before handing over this plot of land. Maharashtra is not a cash rich state, we have farmers committing suicides and have a debt burden of Rs 3, lakh crore. How is it public interest giving land to her at such rates.” questioned Galgali.

RTI documents show that the Mumbai Suburban collector has now written to Hema to hand over the old plot of land and has imposed a few conditions before she could be handed the new plot.