‘Don’t erase Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy’s memory from plot that belonged to him’
Mumbai Mirror Bureau
Great-grandson Husain Peerbhoy alleges that Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy Sanitarium Trust, while indulging in illegal construction and renovation, is attempting to erase his name engraved on the century-old mosque at Charni Road.
A descendent of the late Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy, the first Indian sheriff of Bombay, has alleged that a trust run in his name - of which none of his family are members - is trying to erase his name that is engraved on a mosque adjoining Saifee Hospital at Charni Road.
The allegations were made in a letter to BMC and the Heritage Committee last week by Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy’s great-grandson, Husain Peerbhoy. He claims there is illegal work being carried out at the mosque, and has demanded a joint inspection of the heritage site by BMC and Heritage Committee, besides appropriate action against the trustees.
In his letter, Husain gave two examples - that of pillars of the mosque dating back to 1885 and bearing Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy’s name, and his name engraved on outer railings of the mosque. Husain pointed out that his name on pillars inside the mosque have already been hidden with decorative panels, and those outside will meet the same fate once a bridge connecting the utility unit and the mosque is built.
“What permission have they got to cover the engraved name of Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy with decorative panels? They are hiding the name of the owner of the place,” Husain said. “Once the bridge is built, the 130-year-old cast iron railings with my great-grandfather’s name on the first floor of the mosque will also be hidden by the illegal construction of the passageway. Under the guise of safety, they also want to install additional railings on the road,” the complaint read.
Referring to an inspection done by BMC on an earlier complaint, Husain alleged that it was done in his family’s absence. “The place is still in the name of my great-grandfather. A fresh inspection should be carried out of the place. I have RTI documents to support my claims - they do not have permission for extension of the first floor of Dawoodi Masjid,” Husain said.
“The problem is that no Peerbhoy family member today is part of the Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy Sanitarium Trust. An application given to the Charity Commissioner for us to be included is still pending. Meanwhile, the trustees, who mainly belong to the Syedna faction, are trying to erase my great-grandfather name completely from the premises.”
When Mirror contacted the trust, they denied any illegal construction. “Whatever construction is being done is for the convenience of the ever-growing Bohra population. We have obtained all permissions. The allegation that we are trying to erase Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy’s name is false,” said Shabbirbhai Wajihuddin, general manager of the trust.
Despite repeated attempts, no senior officer of the BMC could be contacted for comment.
Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy, a business magnate and philanthropist, had also financed the Matheran Railway, which is on the tentative UNESCO list of world heritage sites of mountain railways. Saifee Mahal at Walkeshwar, where the royal family of the Bohra community resides, was also donated by him.
Great-grandson Husain Peerbhoy alleges that Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy Sanitarium Trust, while indulging in illegal construction and renovation, is attempting to erase his name engraved on the century-old mosque at Charni Road.
A descendent of the late Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy, the first Indian sheriff of Bombay, has alleged that a trust run in his name - of which none of his family are members - is trying to erase his name that is engraved on a mosque adjoining Saifee Hospital at Charni Road.
Saifee Hospital, built by the late Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, stands on land owned by Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy Sanitarium Trust. On the same plot is the sanatorium, the Dawoodi Masjid, Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy’s grave and a utility unit belonging to the trust.
The allegations were made in a letter to BMC and the Heritage Committee last week by Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy’s great-grandson, Husain Peerbhoy. He claims there is illegal work being carried out at the mosque, and has demanded a joint inspection of the heritage site by BMC and Heritage Committee, besides appropriate action against the trustees.
In his letter, Husain gave two examples - that of pillars of the mosque dating back to 1885 and bearing Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy’s name, and his name engraved on outer railings of the mosque. Husain pointed out that his name on pillars inside the mosque have already been hidden with decorative panels, and those outside will meet the same fate once a bridge connecting the utility unit and the mosque is built.
“What permission have they got to cover the engraved name of Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy with decorative panels? They are hiding the name of the owner of the place,” Husain said. “Once the bridge is built, the 130-year-old cast iron railings with my great-grandfather’s name on the first floor of the mosque will also be hidden by the illegal construction of the passageway. Under the guise of safety, they also want to install additional railings on the road,” the complaint read.
Referring to an inspection done by BMC on an earlier complaint, Husain alleged that it was done in his family’s absence. “The place is still in the name of my great-grandfather. A fresh inspection should be carried out of the place. I have RTI documents to support my claims - they do not have permission for extension of the first floor of Dawoodi Masjid,” Husain said.
“The problem is that no Peerbhoy family member today is part of the Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy Sanitarium Trust. An application given to the Charity Commissioner for us to be included is still pending. Meanwhile, the trustees, who mainly belong to the Syedna faction, are trying to erase my great-grandfather name completely from the premises.”
When Mirror contacted the trust, they denied any illegal construction. “Whatever construction is being done is for the convenience of the ever-growing Bohra population. We have obtained all permissions. The allegation that we are trying to erase Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy’s name is false,” said Shabbirbhai Wajihuddin, general manager of the trust.
Despite repeated attempts, no senior officer of the BMC could be contacted for comment.
Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy, a business magnate and philanthropist, had also financed the Matheran Railway, which is on the tentative UNESCO list of world heritage sites of mountain railways. Saifee Mahal at Walkeshwar, where the royal family of the Bohra community resides, was also donated by him.
