Mahabaleshwar club asked to shut golf course after Ambani walk
What's the story
Civic authorities at popular hill station Mahabaleshwar have asked a private club to shut down its golf course ground after a video of industrialist Anil Ambani taking a walk there went viral on social media.
"Ambani who is in Mahabaleshwar with his wife Tina and children was seen taking an evening walk at the ground recently despite lockdown-like restrictions in the state," sources said.
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Establishment warned of consequences if people continue to come there
The notice issued by Mahabaleshwar Council Chief Officer Pallavi Patil warned of action under the Disaster Management Act, Indian Penal Code, and Epidemic Diseases Act if the establishment does not bar people from coming there for morning or evening walks during the ongoing restrictions.
Video
Ambani could be seen taking a stroll in viral video
"A video of Anil Ambani along with some family members taking a walk at the ground went viral on social media," Patil said.
"After verifying the video, we slapped a notice on The Club, which owns the ground, instructing them to bar the entry of people coming for morning and evening walks," she further said.
Restrictions
Ground has been closed; entry of people has been barred
"The ground has been closed and the entry of people has been barred after the notice was issued," the Mahabaleshwar Council chief officer said.
"The 11-hole golf course from the British era, set amidst a deep and evergreen forest is a serene spot amid the hustle and bustle of the iconic hill station," a resident said.
COVID-19 restrictions
Ambanis arrived in Mahabaleshwar before COVID-19 restrictions were announced
An official said, "The Ambanis arrived in Mahabaleshwar much before the recent coronavirus-induced restrictions came into force and have been living in a bungalow here."
Located about 120 km southwest of Pune and 280 km from Mumbai, Mahabaleshwar is a vast plateau bound by valleys on all sides. It is the source of the Krishna river that flows across Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
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Mahabaleshwar is known for its captivating beauty and stunning valleys
Known for its captivating beauty, Mahabaleshwar boasts of a calm breeze at all times, vantage points offering stunning views of hills and valleys, and plenty of strawberries to gorge on.