Grand Paradi parapet collapse: Relatives, friends rally for badly injured Khushrow Boyce

Workers cut collapsed slabs to extricate Boyce’s scooter (circled)

Colaba resident Khushrow Minoo Boyce, 61, underwent surgery at Breach Candy Hospital on Monday on his left hand. It is vital that his broken left arm regains function, as Boyce works as a television repair person.

Boyce, a resident of Cusrow Baug, a Parsi Colony in Colaba, suffered fractures to his arm and nine broken ribs on June 17. Boyce was riding his scooter after returning from Dadyseth Bungalow at Kemps Corner. As he rode along, the parapet wall of a Grand Paradi row house, the society has three towers and 14 row houses, fell down. Dr Merwaan J Farog, Boyce's relative said, "Boyce had the presence of mind to swerve slightly to the right as the wall came down or he may have lost his life. He was rushed to Breach Candy Hospital, after sustaining grievous injuries."

Khushrow Minoo Boyce before the accident

Farog added, "When Boyce was admitted to hospital, the deposit amount was Rs 1,50,000. The Grand Paradi Co-Op Housing Society paid Rs 1,00,000 saying that they could not give more. I arranged for the outstanding Rs 50,000. The grievous nature of his injuries means Boyce will stay in the hospital for a considerable amount of time. On Monday, it was the second surgery on his arm, he will need a third, too.

When I visited him, he spoke with difficulty because of his broken ribs that are going to take time to heal. His lungs are weak, making him more susceptible to illnesses. This is particularly troublesome amid Covid-19," he said.

What is particularly galling for Boyce's supporters, they claim, is that one of Mumbai's toniest building societies has paid Rs 1 lakh, with no assurances to pay other bills. This amount did not even cover the deposit amount. A rallying cry for ‘Justice for Khushrow Minoo Boyce' has gone up with reports in a community paper and on social media.

Return it

Farog has also highlighted a letter on the Society's letterhead which said that the society has given Rs 1 lakh cash towards security deposit for treatment and the said amount will be returned to them after claiming it from the insurance company. It is signed by General Manager J Vora and Manager P Mulik of the society.

Money matters

Prashant Mulik, manager Grand Paradi Co-Operative Housing Society Ltd, disputed these accounts and said, "This was an unfortunate incident. A row house parapet wall fell. The area was cordoned off and all precautions were taken. Nobody does this on purpose. We have paid more than Rs 1 lakh and he has been admitted to one of the best hospitals in the city, Breach Candy. His relative, Farog, told us that he has a cashless mediclaim policy and he will admit Boyce through that. It was he who suggested that Rs 1 lakh be returned to us after it was paid through insurance. We have not insisted on it being returned."

Hoshang Gotla, who said Boyce is like an uncle to him, added, "He is an electronics genius. He works with his hands repairing televisions. If I ever have to buy any electronics, I consult uncle Boyce. It is not just hospital expenses, there is also post-recovery expenses and medication so that he can start working full-time again. There has to be some compensation from the housing society."