Baba Ka Dhaba' row: Youtuber alleges defamation, claims he handed over Rs 3.78 L to eatery owner
New Delhi: As police probe is underway, YouTuber Gaurav Wasan, who shot the video of the owner of popular eatery 'Baba Ka Dhaba', alleged on Tuesday that he is being defamed and claimed that he had handed over Rs 3.78 lakh to him.
Nearly a month after his video went viral, 80-year-old Kanta Prasad, the owner of 'Baba Ka Dhaba' in south Delhi's Malviya Nagar, filed a complaint against the YouTuber for misappropriation of funds.
Talking to PTI, Prasad said he has received a cheque for Rs 2.33 lakh from Wasan.
When asked about the remaining amount, he said he is not aware of how many donations were collected on his behalf, and only Wasan and people who donated the money exactly know about this.
"I have given a complaint to the police and they are investigating the matter. I don't know how much money was collected as donations on my behalf," Prasad said.
Denying allegations against him, Wasan, who shot the video and posted it online urging people to help the elderly couple, said, "They are defaming me by making such false claims. They said I received Rs 25 lakh as donations in my bank account, which is not true."
The Youtuber said that if it is true, then it should reflect in his bank account and transactions, claiming that the entire amount he received for Prasad has been handed over to him.
When asked about the exact amount he received through the fundraiser, Wasan said he got approximately around Rs 3.78 lakh, which also includes the amount received via Paytm.
Wasan claimed that he has given two cheques - one of Rs 1 lakh while another of Rs 2.33 lakh to Prasad. He said apart from this, Rs 45,000 was also given to Prasad via Paytm.
"I am being accused of misappropriating funds. I am being called a thief. People are now pointing fingers at my family. This is not right," he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Atul Kumar Thakur said, "We are scrutinizing the bank accounts and other details. The inquiry is still ongoing."
After the video shot by Wasan on October 7 went viral, Baba ka Dhaba was the cynosure of many eyes across the country, including celebs from showbiz, who posted appeals asking people to go there and get themselves a meal.
In his complaint to police, Prasad had alleged that Wasan "intentionally and deliberately shared only his and his family/friends bank details and mobile numbers with the donors and collected a huge amount of donation through different mode of payments i.e bank account/wallets without providing any information to the complainant".
The owner of the food joint also accused the YouTuber of not providing details of the financial transactions to him.
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Violence reported in several parts of Kerala after civic poll results
Kozhikode (PTI): Violence erupted overnight at various places across Kerala, particularly in northern districts, following the announcement of local body election results, police said.
In Eramala in Kozhikode district, tension prevailed throughout the night after the Indira Gandhi Bhavan, a Congress office, was allegedly attacked by CPI(M) workers.
According to an FIR registered at Edachery police station, around 200 people marched towards the Congress office carrying dangerous weapons and vandalised the building, causing damage estimated at around Rs five lakh.
A statue of late prime minister Indira Gandhi was also damaged in the attack, police said. Soon after, UDF activists gathered at the spot, further aggravating the situation.
However, with the deployment of additional police personnel, the situation was brought under control, an officer said.
Police said another violent incident was reported at Marad, where stones were allegedly pelted at a UDF victory procession, leaving several persons injured.
In Sultan Bathery in Wayanad district, police registered a case after a car carrying a UDF activist and his family members was allegedly attacked by around 40 CPI(M) workers, an official said.
Sultan Bathery police also booked UDF activists in a separate incident for allegedly attacking a CPI(M) worker who objected to the bursting of crackers near his house, the officer said.
In Panoor in Kannur district, houses of several Muslim League activists were allegedly attacked by CPI(M) workers. Vehicles parked at the houses were also damaged.
According to Panoor police, the violence broke out after a UDF victory rally was allegedly stopped by CPI(M) workers armed with swords and daggers. Some UDF leaders sustained injuries in the clash.
Clashes were also reported between UDF and LDF workers at Ulikkal in Kannur district, though police intervention brought the situation under control later in the night, an officer in the Ulikkal police station said.
In Bedakom in Kasaragod district, an LDF victory march turned violent after CPI(M) activists allegedly intercepted UDF workers passing through the area. Some policemen who intervened suffered minor injuries, an officer said.
Similar violence was reported from Neyyattinkara in Thiruvananthapuram district following clashes between CPI(M) and BJP workers. Police said workers from both sides sustained minor injuries and were admitted to hospitals. Cases will be registered after formal complaints are received, police said.
