The husband of a woman councillor in Perungudi has been “terrorising” business establishments in Perungudi and Kanthanchavadi for quite some time, allege locals.
Clad in white, he drives around the ward in an SUV and asks to see documents related to new buildings, hostels and restaurants.
“I am helping my wife and have the role to prevent ‘illegal’ activities in our ward,” he says. He also apparently demands a monthly income from these establishments when there are flaws in documents.
Food licences, validity of commercial licences, commercial activities in residential buildings, and constructions deviating from approved plans are the flaws for which “regularisation” charges are collected.
The prime focus is usually on new buildings constructed in the area and almost all building owners have greased palms to ensure that relatives and the sidekicks of the councillor do not hinder the construction process.
After bribing the councillor, there is no disturbance from Chennai corporation officials despite building violations, claimed a realtor who has construction projects in the locality.
A hostel owner requesting anonymity admitted that for the last two months his manager had been terrorised. He said that `10,000 per month had been demanded as protection fee.
“When I asked why should hostels give a monthly cut, the local politician hit back saying that ‘most of the women in hostel arrive late at night and we protect them and hence the protection’ charges’,” added the proprietor.
While the councillor was unavailable for comment, her husband denied any such “mamool” collections in the ward.
“People with vested interests have complained to you and you should interact with the people to know the real situation,” he said.
This is not the first time that complaints have been made against councillors. Recently the husband of a corporation councillor was involved in a brawl with contractors while relaying roads at Thiru Vi Ka Nagar. The contractor had lodged a police complaint stating that the councillor’s relatives demanded money.