MUMBAI, Dec 29: Members of a corporate club at Mira-Bhayander in Thane have alleged that they were shut out from the outside world for nearly a week when a local builder constructed a wall around the club following a property dispute. The 40-member staff of the Green Court Club claimed they went without food after over 150 persons led by Tatya Patel, brother of builder Zuber Patel, constructed a wall around early in the morning on December 21, 1997, the club's executive secretary Ajay Saini claimed.However, Zuber Patel alleged that the club was trying to usurp land in the area by staging a hostage drama. The wall was constructed after the plan was sanctioned by the Mira-Bhayander Municipal Council, the builder said. Saini said the club's activities were paralysed last week and things have improved in the last two days after the police intervention. However, the Thane district collector S K Singh said it is a civil matter between two parties over the construction of a motorable road in the area.
An
investigation by the local superintendent of police revealed that nobody was held hostage during the last week. ``The builder Patel has obtained a civil status quo and nothing can be said unless the matter is decided in the court. The issue seems a little overplayed,'' added Singh.
Said Saini, the piece of land adjacent to the club on the same road was acquired by one Tatya Patel. In an agreement dated October 21, 1992, Tatya assigned a right of way to the club through his land for a consideration of Rs 2 lakh. Through this agreement a road was constructed and maintained by the club, added Saini. He added, the roads in dispute was used by all members including the brothers of Tatya Patel.
However, matters took a turn for the worst in September this year when the club management initiated disciplinary action against Tatya's brother Asmat for allegedly assaulting a club manager at gun point and for repeatedly threatening the owners of the club over the phone, said a club member. An FIR was lodged by the
club with the local police and the Asmat's membership was terminated. Refuting the claims that the wall was constructed in retaliation after club's action against Asmat, Patel said the Amiya Palace building within the plot is nearing completion and it binding on him as a builder to handover the property, including the road, to the rightful owners: residents of the society.
Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
