Mangalore: Property feud heats up - SAC demolishes house

Pics by John V Tauro
Bellevision Media Network

Mangalore, 26 Jun 2014: The controversy over a property at Karangalpady here between its occupant John Baptist and St Aloysius College management took a decisive turn on Thursday June 26 with the College administration getting the house demolished.
 
John Baptist Lewis, the adopted son of Alice D’Souza, claimed that he had been living with Alice D’Souza for 40 years, at a house in Patrao Lane, Karangalpady, and later, St Aloysius College claimed ownership of the house and asked him to vacate.
 
However, St Aloysius College maintained that John Baptist had been illegally residing in the college premises and refusing to vacate despite repeated requests. The College had said that it has all the documents to prove its ownership of the property and that attempts to negotiate had failed.
 
Speaking to media persons, John Baptist, a painter by profession, said that at around 3.00pm, around 40 persons including Fr Francis Almeida and Fr Cyril representing the College administration came to the spot and got the house demolished. Baptists claimed that when he refused to give in, he was threatened and forcibly carried away in a jeep, and later when he was dropped back, he found the structure of the house demolished, along with his belongings like television and others.

 

 
Baptist’s lawyer, who did not want to be named, said that the case is pending in court. He also alleged that a laptop and Baptist’s daughters’ gold ornaments which were in the house were taken away, and that the girls, who arrived later, were ’manhandled’.
 
Baptist’s two daughters were away at work at the time of the incident. One of the daughters, Savitha, speaking to media persons, said that when she received call about the incident, she informed her sister and both of them rushed home and found the gates closed. ‘When I enquired with the priest, he refused to answer and pushed me away, she said.
 
Peoples’ Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) president P B D’Sa and Komu Souharda Vedike president Suresh Bhat Bakrabail arrived at the spot and condemned the action taken by the College. They said they would file a complaint with the police.
 
Speaking to media persons, Fr Almeida said that the College had clearance from the city corporation and the authorities concerned to demolish the house. He said that Baptist’s belongings were taken in a truck to Fajir where Baptist owns 6 acres of land. He also denied allegations that Baptist’s daughters were manhandled and said that the girls were not at the spot. He further informed that the College will soon convene a press meet to clarify its stand shortly.