Senior citizen brutally attacked for fighting illegal encroachmets

In our last issue we had carried an article on 'BJP worker from Kalina 'dalal' of BMC. In that article we had exposed the nexus between BMC officials and these dalals and the rampant under deals. We had also highlighted the modus operandi of the racket of  corruption and bribe that is being taking place in these underarm deals. The same pertains to the illegal shops that have been demolished by BMC opposite Emerald Apts, Vakola a few days ago. The story goes back to more than 20 years ago when these illegal shops took root. It  is reported that initially  a few shops sprang up with four bamboos. Later they were constructed into full fledged shops. While speaking to Santacruz Patrika, one of the shopkeepers said, "I have been carrying on my business since 1984. It was during the time of Municipal Commissioner G.Khairnar that a mass scale demolition took place. Afterwards, we have been served several notices for  demolition" Adding further he said, "We have got gumasta licence from BMC. Many of us have electricity bills. Despite, we have been facing the problem of frequent demolitions."
Another shopkeeper emphasised, "It was only about three years ago the local corporator Sanjay Potnis took up the job of construction of a gutter. At that  time our shops were demolished and we were off business for almost a week." After constructing the gutter we were allowed to set up our shops above the gutter. And our gumusta licence which had expired has not been renewed as yet despite the assurances received from the corporator," alleged one of the shopkeepers. It is understood that these shopkeepers have  been making franatic trips to BMC for renewal of their liccence but in vain.
It  was about a week ago BMC had issued notices to the shopkeepers for demolition against a complaint lodged by Charandas Khushlani, residing at Emerald Apartments. As the period of the notice expired it is learnt that about 15 shopkeepers visited Sanjay Potnis and requested for help in the matter. One of the shopkeeper who visited Sanjay Potnis told Santacruz Patrika, "During the meeting Sanjay Potnis assured us that he would speak to BMC and hold the demolition for a week and in the meantime he asked  us to immediately get a stay order from the Court." While, we left the meeting with the corporator, we found to our surprise that within 15 minutes the BMC demolition squad along with police came at the site and started demolishing our shops. Almost all the shops were demolished to ground level."

But on the day of the demolition it is learnt that the complainant Chetandas Kushalani was brutally attacked by some miscreants early morning while he had left for his routine morning walk. While Santaruz Patrika made attempts to contact Kushalani it is learnt that he is admitted in the ICU of Hinduja Hospital and is in a serious condition. However his daughter a corporate lawyer while speaking to Santacruz Patrika elaborated the incident and said," My dad is a 68-year-old diabetic patient who has been fighting against illegal activities. And for his good deeds he has to pay such a heavy price." Adding further she said, " My dad was a dog fan and everyday while going for his routine morning walk  used to feed biscuits for the stray dogs. On the day of the attack, my dad as usual left for his routine. Suddenly, my relative who heard screams witnessed my dad being attacked by two miscreants who had covered their face. We were immediately informed and my brother rushed down to the help of dad. He was beaten very badly and sustained multiple fractures and was also bleeding profously."
"My brother immediately put him in an autorickshaw and one of the miscreants started pulling my dad to push him into a taxi. But my brother  managed to push the miscreant and take daddy  to Vakola Police Station and hospital. Had not it been for the presence of mind of my brother, my dad would have been driven into the taxi and nobody would have known his fate,"narrated his daughter while in tears.
Further, while verifying the attack on Kushalani, a shopkeeper added, "I have heard of the attack. But unsure about the miscreants." He further added by saying,"It was about two years ago Kushalani had lodged a complaint with BMC and we were served demolition notice." But when we approached BMC we were given a compromise package alleged the shopkeeper. He further added that to fulfill the compromise  package all the shopkeepers made a contribution of Rs 6,000 each amounting to Rs 2 lakhs and we handed over this amount to a  BMC official alleged this shopkeeper. Similarly, now too we were asked to pay  a huge amount he alleged.
While clarifying with Kushalani's daughter she said that she was not aware of any compromise. Similarly, Kushalani's son too denied any compromise and said that his dad has been fighting for many years to put an end to the illegal  encroachments. His son said that his father was instrumental in removing a panwallah who used to sit near the gate of Emerald Apts." This panwallah after being removed from the spot vented his anger and smashed the wide screen of my car,"said his son. Further, while speaking to Santacruz Patrika his son clarified, "These miscreants had badly attacked my dad who has been fighting for the rights of the people. These shopkeepers have left no foothpath for the taxpayers to walk and BMC officials by accepting bribe have turned a Nelson eye  to these illegal activities. But, now I am determined to take up these issues in a systematic and professional manner and ensure that we citizens are not deprived of our legal rights instead of these illegal  encroachers enjoying all the luxuries at taxpayers cost."
It is also  learnt that most of the shops have ben encroached by political workers who have rented them out at around Rs 6,000-8,000 pm. A case has ben registered by the Vakola Police Station u/s 326 on Surendra Mane and two unidentified persons. When we spoke to Vakola Police if any arrests have taken place they replied that the culprits will be arrested immediately and will not be allowed to go scot free. Further, clarifying if Surendra Mane was involved in the attack, Kushalani daughter replied,"Since the miscreants attaked my dad from behind he could not identify the attackers. But, since Surendra Mane threatened my dad about 15 days ago to mend his ways or face the consequences, a complaint was lodged against Surendra Mane."It is learnt that Surendra Mane owns two of the demolished shops which have been leased on rent.