Former legislator Vaibhav Naik has raised serious allegations of corruption in the construction work around the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot Fort. Addressing the media, Naik claimed that while the statue itself remains intact, the surrounding infrastructure—constructed by the Public Works Department (PWD)—shows significant flaws.
"The statue is in good condition, but the area around it is deteriorating rapidly. The quality of construction is extremely poor, raising serious questions about the execution of the project," Naik said. He further alleged that the government officials responsible for overseeing the work were rewarded instead of being held accountable. "Some of the officers under whose supervision this flawed work was carried out have been promoted. A few are now posted as Officers on Special Duty (OSDs) in the offices of ministers," he stated.
Naik also criticized the limited actions taken so far, calling them superficial. Referring to the arrest of a welder, he said, "Arresting a welder is merely symbolic. The real culprits are the contractors and officials involved, and no substantial action has been taken against them. Shockingly, some contractors received bail right after the elections."
Appealing directly to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Naik demanded a high-level investigation into the alleged irregularities. "This is not just a political issue—it’s about the dignity of a national icon’s memorial. We urge the Chief Minister to ensure that justice is done, without any political interference," he said.
Naik’s statements have added fuel to growing public concern about the transparency and accountability in memorial-related infrastructure projects. The government is yet to issue an official response to his allegations.