In a reprieve for Bombay Parsi Punchayat chairman Dinshaw Mehta, the charity commissioner’s office recently dismissed a complaint seeking
his removal for alleged irregularities and nepotism in allotment of flats. Joint charity commissioner N V Deshmukh ruled that there was no evidence to take action against Mehta.
"The application falls short of showing any act individually done by Mehta, which could be termed either as neglect in duty or malfeasance or misfeasance or breach of trust of misappropriation or improper dealing with the trust property,” said Deshmukh, adding, "There is no material to frame charges.
Mehta said the complaints were baseless. "Justice has been done and we are vindicated,” said Mehta. "This was an unnecessary controversy where policy differences between the then trustees were used to make allegations.”
The 350-year-old Punchayat is the apex body for the 45,000 strong Parsi-Irani Zoroastrian community in the city. One of the oldest trusts, it is also one of the richest and biggest landlords in Mumbai. The trust owns several acres of land and buildings in prime localities in the city, including the sprawling Towers of Silence property at Malabar Hill. According to the charity commissioner, the properties of the trust are currently valued at Rs 1,000 crore.
Mehta’s troubles started in 2006, when some members of the community lodged a complaint against him and sought his removal as trustee. They levelled three major allegations against Mehta. The first related to a purchase of a property in Andheri, which they claimed caused a loss of Rs 3 crore to the trust. Secondly, they alleged that he entered into an "illegal” agreement with a private builder to develop a trust property. And, the last concerned the allotment of the trust’s flats to relatives of one of Mehta’s friends.
The charity commissioner said there was no evidence submitted to back the claim of causing loss to the trust. With regard to the second allegation, too, the commissioner held that the agreement with the builder was not acted upon and the property was still with the trust. The allegations about allotment of flats also met a similar fate, with the joint charity commissioner ruling that there was no evidence, except for the resignation letters of fellow trustees, which were subsequently withdrawn.
"Mere fact that the persons who received the benefits were near relatives of Mehta’s friend cannot be a ground to frame a charge against him,” said the commissioner, pointing out that the allotments were made jointly by the trust and not Mehta alone.
Original article here.
Hi,
Great I am glad the courts have given their verdict quickly on the above case. In our Country, it can take decades for the court to give their verdict. I hope that speedy trials become the norm
Hi,
Great I am glad the courts have given their verdict quickly on the above case. In our Country, it can take decades for the court to give their verdict. I hope that speedy trials become the norm
Yes Delnavaz this is indeed good news. How come our reformist group of bloggers and the gang of Fake Ids and Pseudo names have not commented on this article. They have conveniently ignored it since it does not suit their agenda.
The WAPIZ page dated 20th Nov gives a long list of cases filed by ARZ to stall the BPP’s progress. Inspite of all these hurdles its victory all the way for our newly elected trustees. Three Cheers !
Yes Delnavaz this is indeed good news. How come our reformist group of bloggers and the gang of Fake Ids and Pseudo names have not commented on this article. They have conveniently ignored it since it does not suit their agenda.
The WAPIZ page dated 20th Nov gives a long list of cases filed by ARZ to stall the BPP’s progress. Inspite of all these hurdles its victory all the way for our newly elected trustees. Three Cheers !
Behram,
Please mention the list of cases supposedly filed by A.R.Z. to stall the BPP’s progress.
I believe you are referring to AZA. Yes AZA does consists of disgruntled elements and that does not mean that all those who disagree with dogmas are sympathizers of AZA. Since when did AZA have a religious agends?
Behram,
Please mention the list of cases supposedly filed by A.R.Z. to stall the BPP’s progress.
I believe you are referring to AZA. Yes AZA does consists of disgruntled elements and that does not mean that all those who disagree with dogmas are sympathizers of AZA. Since when did AZA have a religious agends?
Piloo,
My apologies. I mixed up the AZA with ARZ. The list of cases filed against BPP by AZA is given on the WAPIZ page dated 20th Nov.
Piloo,
My apologies. I mixed up the AZA with ARZ. The list of cases filed against BPP by AZA is given on the WAPIZ page dated 20th Nov.
Where is the Election Code of Conduct ?? Why is the Merit Rating Scheme clearly violated by the existing 7 trustees of Bpp. ?? Openly they are flouting rules and regulations and giving flats to rich and famous in the community. Why there is no transparency at-all ? How many new flats are constructed in last 3 years ?? What is the present waiting list of pending housing allotments ?? Why Bpp is not clarifying anything to the community ?? They gave big talks at the time of canvassing for elections but no results till date.
Where is the Election Code of Conduct ?? Why is the Merit Rating Scheme clearly violated by the existing 7 trustees of Bpp. ?? Openly they are flouting rules and regulations and giving flats to rich and famous in the community. Why there is no transparency at-all ? How many new flats are constructed in last 3 years ?? What is the present waiting list of pending housing allotments ?? Why Bpp is not clarifying anything to the community ?? They gave big talks at the time of canvassing for elections but no results till date.
Where is the Election Code of Conduct ?? Why is the Merit Rating Scheme clearly violated by the existing 7 trustees of Bpp. ?? Openly they are flouting rules and regulations and giving flats to rich and famous in the community. Why there is no transparency at-all ? How many new flats are constructed in last 3 years ?? What is the present waiting list of pending housing allotments ?? Why Bpp is not clarifying anything to the community ?? They gave big talks at the time of canvassing for elections but no results till date.
Recently one of my friend was given a free house by mr. munchy cama in guilder colony. My friend was very happy. When the family went to see the flat, they found no roof. Urgently, they had to borrow a personal loan of Rs 5 lacs and install a new roof and also remove termites from the house. This is called CHARITY by Mr. Munchy Cama. Well done. Hats off to you. You can definetely win second round of elections. God Bless the community.
Recently one of my friend was given a free house by mr. munchy cama in guilder colony. My friend was very happy. When the family went to see the flat, they found no roof. Urgently, they had to borrow a personal loan of Rs 5 lacs and install a new roof and also remove termites from the house. This is called CHARITY by Mr. Munchy Cama. Well done. Hats off to you. You can definetely win second round of elections. God Bless the community.
Recently one of my friend was given a free house by mr. munchy cama in guilder colony. My friend was very happy. When the family went to see the flat, they found no roof. Urgently, they had to borrow a personal loan of Rs 5 lacs and install a new roof and also remove termites from the house. This is called CHARITY by Mr. Munchy Cama. Well done. Hats off to you. You can definetely win second round of elections. God Bless the community.