Marietta Fernandes hummed her mother’s favourite song “A Kiss for Every Candle” on her birthday on February 15. Just days ago, she had stepped into her ancestral bungalow in Khar, nearly 16 months after it was taken over by land sharks. A series of reports by mid-day has ensured that the land-grabbers are cooling their heels behind bars. “I miss my mom”, said Marietta, struggling to control her emotions. 

Marietta, 54, was admitted to the Thane Mental Hospital after the recovery of the badly decomposed body of her mother Yvonne Fernandes, 83. During her stay at the hospital, an acquaintance, Clarence Pereira, alias Peter, plotted to usurp the multi-crore property at Chuim Village. “It is the first time I have stepped in to live here after my mother’s death… I still feel that my mother is waiting there for me to have a meal together. I miss her,” she said. “...Our belongings were wiped out by the land mafia… Clarence and his son were seen using my expensive clothes that I bought from Dubai, London and Portugal… they did not even spare my slippers. How shameful!” she said.