Mumbai: Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar's helicopter trip to Nashik in north Maharashtra during lockdown has sparked a controversy.
After Ashok Chavan, the state's public works minister, tested positive for corona, his family had also sought permission for a special flight to Mumbai for treatment. However, he was denied.
Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal on Saturday said that he will order an inquiry into the special permission which the actor reportedly obtained for the air travel and stay at a resort in Nashik during the visit earlier this week.
He said a probe will also be conducted into allegations of violation of rules related to Akshay's tour.
"I have asked district collector to probe into the permissions given for his chopper, stay at Trimbakeshwar and why Nashik city police provided his escort when his tour was in rural part of the district," he said.
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While the actor's spokespersons did not offer any comment immediately, sources said he flew to Nashik with a special permission.
"I read about his visit to Nashik in newspapers today. I have no idea when he came and left. I will have to check," Food and Civil Supplies Minister Bhujbal, who is also the 'guardian minister' of the district, told reporters in Nashik.
"I will have to check, where he lived etc. I have received complaints about how he could be allowed to stay in a resort (amid coronavirus outbreak). We will ask the police to look into it. I have no idea who gave him the permission, why it was given. Officials will be questioned if something wrong has happened," the senior NCP leader added.
Sources close to the actor said that he had flown to Nashik in a helicopter with special permission "to see a doctor."
