The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) has issued a legal notice to actor Anil Kapoor for appearing in an advertisement for Ekta World, a construction firm, where the developer has claimed that it is offering flats in Virar and Nashik at rates cheaper than that of Mhada.
Mhada has also issued a legal notice to Mr Ashok Mohanani, owner of Ekta World, citing that the firm has illegally, blatantly and with mischief and malice used Mhada’s name to promote a scheme based on false and unauthorised information. Mhada secretary Bharat Bastewad said, “How can anyone endorse any firm’s claims without confirming whether they are true or false We have issued a legal notice to Anil Kapoor for endorsing false claims. Mr Kapoor should have confirmed with Mhada before endorsing such claims by a private construction firm.”
The legal notice states, “This is to bring to your notice that you have caused damage to the image of Mhada and violated regulations of the Advertising Standards Council of India.” Kapoor remained unavailable for comment.
The website of Ekta World has also uploaded a comparison of the rates quoted by it and the rates quoted by Mhada for a location in Virar.
When contacted, Mr Mohanani said, “We have not made false claims. We have disclosed in our communication and website the source of information where Mhada has publicised its rates at Virar and Nashik and our rates are lesser than theirs. We are transparent and would like our prospective customers to be aware and educated of the facts before they make a decision.” Kapoor remained unavailable for comments.
