The Statue of Unity– the world’s tallest statue in Gujarat, was put up ‘for sale’ for Rs 30,000 crore on OLX on Saturday to meet the state government’s expenses for hospitals and healthcare infrastructure to fight against the COVID-19 outbreak. “Emergency! Selling Statue of Unity because of urgent money required for the hospitals and healthcare equipment”, the description of the ad read. Though, the OLX did not approve it and taken off the advertisement immediately after it was posted.
It is noteworthy that the memorial to Sardar Patel, at 182 metres, is the world’s tallest such structure and has attracted lakhs of tourists since it was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi in 2018.
The authorities of Statue of Unity filed a complaint against the unknown person later who posted it online for sale. Issuing a notification, Nilesh Dubey, Assistant Commissioner, Statue of Unity said, “An unknown person, with a malafide intention to defame the government and to mislead the people, had put up the Statue of Unity for sale on OLX, despite not being authorized to do so.” Such an advertisement hurts the sentiments of the lakhs of people who idolise Sardar Patel, the statement added.
A case was filed against the person under IPC section 505 (publishes, circulates any rumours), 417 (Punishment for cheating), 469 (forgery) and under relevant sections of the Information and Technology Act.
