Who really owns German Bakery?

Mayor says more than one member of the Kharose family has approached him seeking compensation for destroyed eatery

A fresh battle to corner the compensation that is due is now on between members of the Kharose family, who are engaged in a war over the ownership of German Bakery.

Speaking to MiD DAY, Mayor Mohan Singh Rajpal said he has been approached by more than one party for compensation since the destruction of one of the city's most popular hangouts in a bomb blast on the eve of Valentine's Day. "A few days ago, Smita Kharose, who is supposed to be the owner of the bakery, sent us a written application seeking compensation of lakhs. After that, her brother-in-law met me, asking for compensation and claiming he also was a rightful owner," said Rajpal.

Brothers Shankar and Ram Kharose told Rajpal that the question of ownership of German Bakery was yet to be resolved, as a case has been filed by them against their sister-in-law Smita. The brothers said though the verdict in the ownership case was pending, they were the rightful owners of the eatery. "I have asked my office to look into all the details," said Rajpal.

Manager's claim
Sources in the civic body said German Bakery manager Ram Gopal Karkee has also been trying to seek an appointment with the mayor to ask for compensation on compassionate grounds.

"Karkee has made out a case saying that he needed help to rebuild the bakery as he was handling all the operational aspects. He also said that it was he who paid the salaries of workers, which are now pending, so he should get help," said the source.

In an earlier interview, Karkee had expressed the desire to help rebuild the bakery. Despite repeated attempts to reach him yesterday, he wasn't available for comment as calls to his mobile were answered by his wife, who said he was out of town.

Even district collector Chandrakant Dalvi is aware that there are multiple claimants for the German Bakery
compensation, and he said that the amount would be handed over only after state government clearance.

"We will not get into these issues. We have done a panchnama and assessed the damage to the property. The file has been forwarded to the state government and if there are any issues, they will be handled at appropriate level," said Dalvi.