Nirav Modi, recently accused of committing a fraud of over Rs 11,400 crore, has reportedly fled the country, leaving thousands of his employees jobless and some remarkable buildings in Mumbai stranded. One such building is Rhythm House in Kala Ghoda, which the billionaire diamond jeweller bought for Rs 32 crore to reportedly turn it into a showroom.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached 21 properties worth Rs 524 crore owned by Modi under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
When Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra got wind of the news, he started a tweet thread asking if others would be interested in restoring the iconic music store if the ED eventually plans to auction it.
Mahindra suggested that people collectively acquire the building and turn it into “a performance venue for rising musicians & a hangout for music lovers”.
His tweet got multiple responses and many jumped in to say they’d be willing to pitch in and restore Rhythm House.
Even the general Mumbai folks said they were willing to save the legacy of Rhythm House by pitching in in whatever way they can.
It seems Mahindra has a special place for music in his heart. He brought Asia’s largest Blues festival to India. In 2008, Mahindra also backed MW.Com. and launched Rolling Stones' India edition.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)