Mumbai: RNA Mirage flat owner files FIR against office-bearers

The face-off between a flat-owner and RNA Mirage Cooperative Housing Society Limited (CHSL) reached the Worli police station where the statement of the former was recorded on Wednesday. In her statement, the flat owner Kanaka Poddaar has held the CHSL chairman Manoj Maniar, secretary Ankur Lodha, property manager Jitendra Mishra, its managing committee members and others responsible for the death of her domestic help Rajkumar Gupta.

Poddaar told mid-day that she has now been allowed to use all the three elevators at RNA Mirage where she owns three flats, including one duplex where Gupta was found dead allegedly because he was forced to use the staircase to go from the 31st floor to the 9th floor amid poor health conditions.

Earlier, the Poddaar family had been barred from using two of the three elevators in the building by the CHSL and its managing committee allegedly because of non-payment of maintenance bill up to Rs 25 lakh and property tax of Rs 30 lakh.

"Earlier, the CHSL had denied us the use of lifts A and B. I have a video recording of one incident when my Panditji was not allowed to use the lift. I have shown the same video to Worli police," said Poddar.

On October 7, the CHSL posted a letter on the door of Poddaar's residence: "Inspite of our several requests and letters you have not yet paid society overdues of maintenance, repair fund and common area property taxes. Your overdues on account of MCGM property tax is also huge ... Copy of this will be passed on to you. However, the society has now decided to not have any restrictions on usage of lifts for any member. We believe this will create a positive environment in society. Which means you will now be able to use all the three lifts," the notice reads.

"We need to study the matter very closely and understand the society bylaws. We are seeking legal opinion before booking those named by Poddaar in the complaint," said a senior police officer.

Meanwhile, the chairman Maniar told mid-day that the CHSL is now taking all legal measures to recover pending dues from Poddaar. On the other hand, Senior inspector of Worli police station, Sukhlal Varpe, said, "The Accidental Death Report (ADR) related to Gupta's death is being thoroughly probed."

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