MANEKA MAN IN MEAT SCAM

Former Union Minister and environmentalist Maneka Gandhi's close aquittance in Mumbai has been accused of extorting money from meat transporters... traders say they have proof... a conversation recorded with the man.. demanding money for letting trucks through city check posts ...though both Gandhi and her acquantaince deny the charges...

vo ((photographs of Maneka and Gathani in a public function))

This is an acquaintance .....that has made animal welfare activist and environmentalist....Maneka Gandhi .....slightly unpopular....

Bhavin Gathani.....who claims to be Gandhi's personal secretary....has been accused of collecting extortion money for slaughtering animals.... instead of saving them......

((cutaways of butchers and shots of letter))

The butchers allege that Gandhi has written several letters ....in Gathani's favour to the city police....seeking his cooperation to stop cruelty to animals.....

But Gathani allagedly misuses this support.....

I started driving since last two months. He was after me all the time to pay his hafta but I told him I cannot afford as there not much income in this business. He told me that if you wont pay I will get u arrested and finally he did that when i refused to pay him. Now hes telling me that i wont be able to do the business even if my vehicle is released by the police.

vo3

Most transporters....do not obtain all the licences required.....for transporting animals....

And Gathani....as a member of an animal welfare group....has the authority to stop trucks and

report the offenders to the police.......which he does not do .....in exchange for a large fee....

The transporters .....even recorded a telephone chat with Gathani.....to teach him a lesson....

((gfx//Transcripts))

Gathani: You have paid Rs 15,000 for one vehicle this month

Abdul Tahir: It is not 15,000, it's 25,000. I even have a written record for that. Please cooperate with me, since there is not much income in bringing buffaloes.

Gathani: Who is asking you to get buffaloes? Even I can't affort to get paid Rs 15,000. Pay me Rs 25,000 and import an ox, your margin will also be high.

Tahir: I don't want to deal in buffaloes since it's risky.

I was tired of his harrassment from last two to three months. I thught to give up the business and sold one vehicle. I have one more but am planning to sell that too. ((patch)) He takes away more than our income. Sometimes he threatens us with his contacts with Manka Gandhi... some times with his police contacts. Finally I thought to teach him a lesson....

PTC Bhupen

Some butchers allege that....they pay 12000 to 25000 rupees per month.....

On an average ....they can bring around 6 buffallos and ox in truck....with proper medical certificates of the animals....

They allege that the police are often misguided by these activists ....who intercepts the truck carrying even less than six buffallos....

If their goods are stationed at the police station ... they end up paying double the amount ....

So they choose the easier option .....of paying Gathani....

((gfx in))

But Maneka Gandhi.....told NDTV....that Gathani had booked many butchers for cruelty to animals....and that she had always supported him whenever he was in trouble with the police....she also said that she had asked the police to help him whenever possible

HEADER: MANEKA DEFENDS BHAVIN

// Bhavin has booked a number of butchers for cruelty to animals

// He has been hit with controversies in every case

// Whenever he faced problems with the police, I supported him

// I called the police and asked them to assist in every possible way

((gfx out))

Every month we intercept around 4 to 5 vehicles. There is beef, pork stuffed into vehicle and many times there are sheep and goats also. If we intercept the truck the butchers are at loss They come to us to offer bribes. They say that we give it to the police, then why not to you.

Bhupen Patel, from mumbai