MbPT serves eviction notice to 40 Colaba residents

More than 40 occupants of Akbar House on Tullock Road in Colaba have been served an eviction notice by the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT). While the notice is dated September 27, 2017, the occupants claim they received it only on November 1.

The notice, served by the board of trustees of MbPT to the original lessees — one Padamsee family — and 48 others, mentions various violations like unauthorised construction, unauthorised change, assigning of the entire premises to another party (which is the new landlord with two others), and unauthorised subletting on the ground and first floor.

"We have been tenants and occupants here since the 1940s, we are not new here," said Abdul Salam, owner of the New Appollo Restaurant which runs from the building's ground floor.

The occupants claim that it's only when a notice was served in 2015 that they learnt the place is a property of MbPT. The 7,366.82 sq ft plot of land on which Akbar House stands was given on lease by MbPT for 37 years. The lease which began in 1949 expired in October 1986.

"I think the landlord gave the property to someone else. We have been paying rent to that person since then though the name on the rent receipt is that of Akbar House," said Ravi Sharma, owner of Sheetal Medical in the same premises. "Back then we collectively paid Rs 60 lakh to the landlord which was being collected for BMC and other taxes but not for MbPT. Since we have just received the notice, we will ask them for more time," added Sharma.

Zohar Fakhruddin Sham, the new landlord, was not available for comment. DNA could not reach the Padamsee family who are the original lessees according to MbPT's records. There was no response from the MbPT authorities.

LEASE ISSUES

• The 7,366.82 sq ft plot of land on which Akbar House stands was given on lease by MbPT.
   
• The lease which began in 1949 expired in October 1986.