“I am ready to pay the price of my actions if am proven guilty. I allow animal activists to take action against me if the charges against me are proven. Chop off my leg if am proven guilty,” he said, in an interview to India Today‘s Rajdeep Sardesai.

Joshi dismissed all allegations levelled against him, even going so far as to call the outrage a political conspiracy against him, citing that some people are ‘envious’ of his ‘rising popularity’.

Watch the entire interview below:

Meanwhile, Shaktiman underwent a surgical procedure on Tuesday night to fix one of its hind legs, after which authorities said no amputation was required. 

Police have registered a case against Joshi and his supporters under Cruelty to Animals Act in connection with the incident, while several animal rights activists, including Puja Bahukhandi, have also lodged a police complaint against the MLA for his “inhuman” act.

(With inputs from PTI)

(Feature Image Source: Twitter)