Censor Board Chairperson
Pahlaj Nihalani is usually in the news for his infamous tendency to axe scenes from films. However, this time, he is facing the heat as a residential property owned by his family in
Matheran
is reportedly being used for commercial purposes. Other hotel owners from the town have objected to this as it is illegal to use a residential property as a resort. The local hotel owners' association is planning to file an FIR, so that cops can investigate the matter.
Prakash Jha: We're planning to take action against Pahlaj Nihalani When contacted, Pahlaj told BT, 'Matheran is a weekend getaway where owners of heritage properties are allowed to open up their homes to tourists. The property is not in my name per se, but it belongs to my family since 1956. A home stay is not the same as a resort. This isn't illegal. Many local families run this business. I feel I am being targeted. Now that there is no row in the
Central Board of Film Certification, I am being dragged into this. We have the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation's permission and I have nothing to fear.'
'
When we reached out to the State Tourism Board, they told us that they do allow homestays under their 'bed and breakfast scheme' according to which anyone who owns a property and has over five rooms, is registered. This is not considered a commercial business. The official website of MTDC, however, doesn't have Nihalani's said property listed under that scheme or under their Mahabrahman scheme. Their official in Matheran remained unavailable for comment.
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