‘Separated 32 years ago, no connection with Gopal’: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi

NEW DELHI: After an FIR was filed against Union Minister Pralhad Joshi’s kin, he clarified on Friday that he had separated from his brother Gopal Joshi more than three decades ago. Joshi said he had filed an affidavit in the court and also published a public notice saying that anyone claiming to be his brother, relatives or friends and indulging in any financial business will not be binding on him.

“At the outset, I would like to point out a glaring mistake in the FIR stating that someone by the name of Vijayalakshmi is my sister. This is highly nonfactual as I don’t have any sister”, Joshi said addressing a press conference on Friday.

He further said that he has four brothers and one of the brothers passed away earlier, adding that he has no sister. “We are three brothers. Myself and Gopal have been separated for more than 32 years. On earlier occasions, when he (Gopal) faced some allegations on his conduct, I had secured an injunction from a city civil court in Bengaluru for linking my name with him. The details are clearly stated in the affidavit placed before the court on 22.11.2013. As per the affidavit, the plaintiff (i.e. me) and Gopal V Joshi have separated since more than 20 years (now around 32 years)”, he said.

Regarding the recent Media reports linking me to Gopal Joshi:

In November 2013, I had filed a Civil suit as Plaintiff in the City Civil Court, Bangalore stating that Gopal Joshi and I are separated since 20 years (now more than 32 years)

I have only 2 brothers and no… pic.twitter.com/t7GRx8mmJw

— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) October 18, 2024

“My affidavit before the court says, ‘In this connection, they have executed a Family Arraignment Deed or Vaivastha Pathra, on 17.03.2012. Therefore, they do not constitute any joint family status or any joint transactions socially and financially. The plaintiff is not at all connected with him in any manner or with his profession and transaction’,” he pointed out.

He further said, “It is pertinent to mention here that I had also published an advertisement in leading local dailies on 9.11.2012 that whosoever quotes my name for getting work done or any such claims that they are relatives, brother, friends etc., I am no way connected and responsible for such claim of others”, he said.

He said that he has no connection whatsoever with my brother and has no link with him. “I would once again repeat that I have had no connection whatsoever with my brother Gopal Joshi for the last 32 years. We are also not in talking terms also. The extracts of the affidavit and copy of advertisement published in the newspaper are enclosed”, he said.

He further said that since the FIR is filed, an investigation should be carried out and the law allowed to take its own course. “I will not come in the way of investigation”, he said.

Notably, Prahlad Joshi’s brother Gopal Joshi, Vijaylakshmi Joshi and Gopal Joshi’s son Ajay Joshi have been booked for allegedly promising a BJP ticket to Sunita Chauhan’s husband Devananda Pul Singh Chouhan in the Lok Sabha elections by allegedly using Prahlad Joshi’s influence.

Sunita Chauhan filed a complaint against Prahlad Joshi’s brother Gopal Joshi, Vijayalakshmi and Gopal Joshi’s son Ajay Joshi at the Basaveshwar Nagar police station who registered an FIR at 5 pm on Thursday. (ANI)