VADODARA: Controversy erupted in Devgadh Baria town of Dahod district after firefighters were allegedly called to wash the bungalow of BJP MLA and former minister Bachubhai Khabad on Sunday.Videos showing Devgadh Baria nagarpalika fire brigade personnel spraying water on the outer walls of Khabad’s house went viral in Dahod.The fire brigade vehicle travelled around 24km to reach Khabad’s house in Pipero village of Dhanpur taluka.Devgadh Baria nagarpalika officials said they were unaware why the fire brigade vehicle had been called and that they had collected the applicable charges from the Khabad family.“When the firemen reached the spot, they were told to wash the outer wall of the house. So, they began the work and also called the fire chief who asked them to stop it. I also got a call about it following which I told them to collect the charges,” said Dharmesh Kalal, president of Devgadh Baria nagarpalika.“We got a call from nagarpalika president Dharmesh Kalal that there is a fire call so I asked him if it is a special call or fire call. He asked me to send the fire vehicle but when our men reached there, they were told by the MLA’s men to wash the outer wall of the MLA’s house,” said Mayur Chauhan, fire officer.“When I was informed about it, I asked them to stop the work and told my superiors about it. We then collected the necessary charges,” Chauhan said.The Devgadh Baria nagarpalika charged Rs 2,700 from Khabad’s son, Balvant. TOI tried to contact Bachubhai Khabad, but he did not respond to calls.Rajesh Raval, president of the Devgadh Baria Congress unit, questioned the incident and said, “If any untoward incident had occurred during the cleaning exercise then who would have been responsible. We demand action against the responsible person.”
