(REOPENS BOM 11)

Countering Nirupam’s allegations, Mumbai BJPspokesperson Ram Kadam said the comments did not suit Congresswhich itself was "marred by corruption". "We have supported Kapil Sharma for raising the issueand filed a complaint against the officer who demanded bribefrom him," he said. Meanwhile, filmmaker and activist Ashoke Panditpointed fingers at the actor, claiming, "Sharma himself firstbroke the law and (is) now dragging someone else." Pandit, who is also convenor of Save Open Spaces, saidthe nexus between builders, architects, politicians and BMCofficials have caused a grave damage to the city’s ecologicalsystem and that it had to be broken. He also lashed out at politicians for jumping into thebandwagon for taking political mileage out of the controversy. Sharma had kicked up a row last week by alleging thathe had been asked to pay a bribe of Rs five lakh by anofficial of BMC which, in turn, claimed that the actor hadflouted norms in his Versova office building and his apartmentin suburban Goregaon. An FIR was also registered against the comedian inthis regard yesterday. PTI APM ARS SRYBAS