PANJIM: After facing criticism from across various quarters over ‘Lamanis’ remark in the State, Tourism Minister Manohar Azgaonkar has found himself in legal tangle this time in Maharashtra, as a criminal complaint has been registered against the minister in a Pune court. 

Advocate Ramesh Khemu Rathod filed a criminal complaint against the minister in a Pune court, which is registered under Sections 153-A(1)(A), 153-A(1)(B), 153-B(1)(A), 153-B(1)(B), 153-B(1)(C), 295-A, 499, 500, 504, 505(2) of Indian Penal Code.

The advocate, who is practicing in District and Sessions Court, Shivajinagar, Pune submitted that the minister’s statement about ‘banning Lamanis who are creating nuisance on the beaches,’ is not only against the Indian Constitution but it has a tendency to create rift among the society, and can increase enmity, vengeance and malafide emotion which will create prejudice to the national unity. The criminal case number 134/2017 will be taken up for hearing on April 29.

On being asked about the case in Maharashtra, Azgaonkar told Herald, “I have already clarified on my remarks. I am not aware of any such complaint being lodged (against me).” 

The minister, at a press briefing earlier this month had proposed reviving the defunct tourism squads to crackdown on the illegal activities along the beachside, and to ensure that beggars, Lamanis and hawkers are not a nuisance to tourists. 

“If the hawkers and Lamanis are carrying out their business within legal parameters and maintaining the culture of the State, nobody will stop them; else we will act tough against them,” he had further said. But his statement attracted ire from the Banjara community, who demanded an apology from him. The MGP minister had refused to apologise arguing that he said nothing objectionable about the community.