Mumbai, (The Hindu): Two days after social activist and former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Anjali Damania wrote to the Additional Director General, Prisons alleging preferential treatment to Chhagan and Sameer Bhujbal, the duo sent a defamation notice to her directing her to pay ?50 crore as compensation within 48 hours or face civil and criminal proceedings. The Bhujbals are in Arthur Road Jail while being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for alleged money laundering.

The notice said all allegations made by Ms. Damania, including those of the Bhujbals enjoying chicken, fruits and vodka in jail are false and baseless. “It is highly objectionable to make and publish defamatory statement without verifying the facts whatsoever, much less in the absence of any cogent and supporting evidence whatsoever.,” it claims.

Meanwhile, a Non-Cognisable offence was registered against Chhagan Bhujbal’s son Pankaj at Colaba police station on Thursday after Sudhir Salaskar, a witness in a money laundering case against the Bhujbals, alleged in his complaint that Pankaj had threatened him as he was leaving the special Prevention of Money Laundering Act Court after a hearing on Wednesday. DCP (Zone I) Manoj Kumar Sharma confirmed that the NC offence has been registered.