With the number of coronavirus cases on the rise in the country, medical organisations require extra funds to create more quarantine facilities and equipment to deal with the crisis. Many celebrities, politicians, sportspeople, etc. have donated to the cause. Many have also donated to several NGOs working towards providing the poor with food and essentials.
On that premise, an unknown person recently posted an ad on OLX to sell the Statue of Unity in Gujarat for Rs. 30,000 Crore. The advertisement mentioned that the statue was being sold “to meet the Gujarat government’s expenses for hospitals and medical infrastructure to fight the coronavirus outbreak in the state,” reports India Today.
Statue of Unity, the 182-metre long sculpture of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Gujarat, has been a popular spot for tourists ever since its inauguration back in 2019 by PM Modi.
“Some unknown person placed an advertisement on OLX on Saturday stating he needs to sell the Statue of Unity for Rs. 30,000 crore to meet the requirement of money to buy hospitals and healthcare equipment,” said a Gujarat police official.
“The memorial’s authorities came to know of the issue after a newspaper ran an article, and approached the police,” he added.
The advertisement has been taken down from the website. However, an FIR has been registered under IPC section 505 (publishes, circulates any rumours), 417 (Punishment for cheating), 469 (forgery) against the unknown person, reports The Indian Express.
“Despite him not being authorised to sell government property, this unidentified person posted the advertisement on OLX to defame the government and mislead people,” said the Chief Administrator of the Statue of Unity.
What do you think about this issue? Tell us!