Resident wins first step against Willingdon Colony's managing committee

MUMBAI: Residents of Willingdon Colony in Santacruz have won a symbolic victory over the managing committee that allegedly deprived 608 members of their lawful property worth Rs 1,500 crore at today’s prices.
The Bandra metropolitan magistrate’s court on Tuesday granted them leave to “issue process” or prosecute the committee of the Bombay Catholic Cooperative Housing Society, also known as Willingdon Colony.The beautiful colony is located along SV Road and Hasnabad Lane in Santacruz.
In 2009, the committee led by chairman Stanislaus Rego, a retired judge, sold off 5.5 acres of land housing 70-odd heritage bungalows to a private builder. The land, valued at Rs 400 crore at the time, was sold for merely Rs 70 crore. Its value is now estimated to be Rs 1,500 crore.
“The committee earlier resolved to undertake redevelopment of the colony on its own without involving outsiders. Under that plan, 12 towers of 10 storeys each would have been built. Owners and tenants would have got an 850 sq ft flat almost free, just having to pay the cost of construction. However, the committee suddenly changed its mind,” said Jennifer Rodrigues, whose 82-year-old father Leo filed the lawsuit.
On December 6, 2009, the committee called a special general body meeting and passed a resolution to sell the land to Robin Home Developers. Its nominee, Sumer Associates, arrived at Willingdon the very next morning and began demolishing all the old bungalows. Rodrigues’ lawyer Basil Menezes alleged that armed guards wielding stenguns were positioned in the premises and large halogen lamps directed light into the homes, causing fear among the residents who were mostly senior citizens. Police stood by as mute witnesses.
Most of the bungalows have since been demolished. Several old residents took Rs 1-2 crore and moved out, while some have opted for flats in the builder’s project.
“The magistrate’s order is an eye-opener for residents of all housing societies, to remain alert. Managing committees have no right to sell the land on which buildings stand, yet this one did so. We will not get back our land, we may not even be able to actually prosecute the committee because justice is so expensive and time-consuming. But at least the criminals stand exposed,” said Rodrigues.