Narayan Rane and residents’ letters to CP, BMC chief against Estella ignored

Nitesh Rane alleges conspiracy, says CP should investigate the connect between local police and Estella proprietor

Congress Legislator Nitesh Rane on Monday refuted all allegations levelled against him for threatening the proprietors of Estella restaurant at Juhu and demanding extortion from them.

Narayan Rane, Nitish and his brother Nilesh live at Juhu and they share a wall with Estella. Nitesh claims his father wrote a letter to Ajoy Mehta, commissioner of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC); Datta Padsalgikar, the Commissioner of Police (CP); and the local police station, Santacruz for breach of noise. Residents of Sea Breeze cooperative housing society had also written letters to all three authorities urging them to lodge a complaint against the restaurant for breach of timing, keeping the restaurant open beyond 1 am. They also alleged breach of noise levels and traffic violations.

“The restaurant does not have its own valet parking and this has caused immense difficulties to our society. The loud music blares through the night which is creating noise pollution in our area. The peace and serenity of our Juhu-Tara road residents is spoilt and we are forced to live in a harrowing environment,” wrote Rane. Rane urged the officials to cancel Estella’s licence.

Nitesh has alleged that the authorities ignored these complaint letters and instead have aided with the proprietor of Estella to file a First Information Report against him.

“All the three authorities owe us an explanation why no action was taken till now. How come two days ago the Estella owner lodges false charges against me and the police has taken cognisance? I am asking the CP to inquire into the deals that the local police have with Estella owner. This is a conspiracy against me,” said Nitesh.

Nitesh has asked the police to the CCTV camera recordings and has refuted the allegations made against him that he threatened the owner. He has slammed the accusation levelled against him that he demanded extortion.

“The owner claims I demanded he pay up and for last few months why did he not speak up? Now suddenly he claims to have stopped paying me and with the help of the local police slapped false charges against me. This needs to be investigated,” said Nitesh.

Nitesh has alleged authorities ignored his complaint letters and instead have aided with proprietor of Estella to file an FIR against him