Tension gripped Ujjain's Mahakal police station area on Thursday when a Municipal Corporation team arrived at Hotel Pitambara Residency in Jaisinghpura to take action against the property. A large police force accompanied the team, and a bulldozer was initially brought to the spot, but officials later decided to seal the hotel instead of demolishing it. As soon as the action began, women from the hotel operator's family came out in protest, accusing the Municipal Corporation of acting out of vendetta. The standoff at the site continued for nearly an hour and a half, turning into a high voltage drama.
A Dispute With A Fire Officer At The Root
According to the hotel operator's family, the entire crackdown is retaliation for an earlier clash. The family claims that during a fire safety inspection some time ago, an official misbehaved with them, and in the heat of the moment, their son Vikas Aronya got into a physical altercation with the officer. The family further alleges that they belong to a tribal community, and that the Municipal Corporation, out of the same grudge, sealed not just the hotel but also their residential house, even though young children were present inside at the time. This claim added fuel to an already tense situation, with the women repeatedly confronting corporation officials at the spot.
Police Step In, Women Taken To The Station
As the protest intensified and the situation began to spiral, the police had to intervene. Officers tried to reason with the women, but when they refused to budge, the police removed them from the spot and took them to the police station. Only after that could the Municipal Corporation team complete the process of sealing the hotel without further obstruction. A heavy police force remained deployed across the area to maintain order, turning the locality into what looked almost like a security camp.
Main Accused Vikas Arrested, Produced In Court
Mahakal police station in-charge Gagan Badal said the assault on the officer took place during a fire safety inspection. Police have arrested the main accused in the case, Vikas Aronya, and he has already been produced before the court. Badal added that the investigation into the matter is still ongoing.
Notice Over Illegal Construction Was Already Issued
Separately, Municipal Corporation Superintending Engineer Pramod Malviya said notices had already been issued earlier regarding illegal construction at the hotel. He said a preliminary inquiry found that the building extends beyond the designated building line, meaning the construction violates the rules. The building has been sealed for now, and only after the investigation is complete will it be decided whether further action, including demolition, will follow.
While police continue their investigation into the assault on the fire officer, the Municipal Corporation has also taken a tough stance over the illegal construction at the hotel. Once the inquiry concludes, it will become clear what further action is taken against Hotel Pitambara Residency, and how much truth there is to the family's allegations.
