Linah Baliga
Controversy still dogs Cyril Mecwan, chief promoter of the Pereirawadi Slum Rehabilitation Scheme in Bandra (West).
Salma Saud-al-Ayyaf and Owen Drego, both residents of the Bandra (West), filed police complaints against Mecwan on September 5 and October 13, respectively, for threatening to dishouse them.
Mecwan is the same promoter who allegedly dishoused 21 families, whose homes were forcibly broken into on June 2, 2008, for implementation of the Pereirawadi redevelopment scheme.
Ayyaf, who was in Saudi Arabia, had given a flat on rent to Mecwan in Akil Apartments on 16th Road, Bandra (West), on August 24, 2007. "The agreement was made by advocate Jerome Saldanha and Mecwan paid Rs4.50 lakh in advance," she said. "Mecwan had said his house was being demolished in Pereirawadi and he wanted a place to stay. His lease expired in March 2009, but he extended it for two months."
However, on August 15, 2009, her cousin Uday Kumar, who was given the power of attorney, told her that some forged documents were given to him which claimed that the house no longer belonged to Ayyaf.
"When I called from Saudi Arabia, I was told that a certain Vijay Narain Amin refused to give the keys to Kumar and handed a forged document with my husband's thumb impression," Ayyaf said. "My husband had his leg amputed at that time and was in no condition to make any agreement. He died soon after. They have no original agreements but are only showing photocopies."
But chief promoter Cyril Mecwan said, "There is no dispute. Ayyaf is supposed to return my deposit money of Rs2.50 lakh. After she returns the money, we will hand over the flat."
Another complaint has been lodged by Drego, 77, from 26, Pali Village, at the Khar police station, accusing Mecwan of issuing threats to grab his property.
"Mecwan and six goons threatened me to show the papers of 25AA Pali Village," Drego said. "I told him it was rented to a tenant who has locked the place and left and the matter is subjudice. Mecwan claims to be the owner of that premises."
Mecwan said, "Drego is claiming to be the owner of the room when he is the neighbour. He has no evidence to prove ownership. There is no court case and I've issued no threats."