PCDS president Emmanuel Jeevan, who raised an alarm after recently visiting the cemetery said, 'Many of the graves in the cemetery are in bad shape, with wild growth all over the area.'
The St Sepulcher’s cemetery in Hadapsar, on Pune-Solapur Road, is caught in the eye of a storm between the Pune Christian Development Society (PCDS) and the caretaker of the cemetery for the past 33 years, Raymond Jacob.
PCDS has accused the caretaker of encroaching on the cemetery illegally, and running a nursery there.
Housing graves dating back to the turn of the century, this cemetery has been used by the Christian community in the city. Spread over 32 acres, it houses graves of British soldiers who died in Pune in the early 19th century.
PCDS president Emmanuel Jeevan, who raised an alarm after recently visiting the cemetery said, “Many of the graves in the cemetery are in bad shape, with wild growth all over the area. The caretaker was supposed to maintain a neat garden, but we found nothing.”
Jeevan accused the caretaker of running an illegal nursery and garage in the area. “Jacob’s contract is long over, yet he continues to occupy the cemetery illegally,” he said.
Father George D’Souza, chairman of the Cemetery Committee of Pune, also seconded Jeevan’s accusation and said, “The committee had entered into an agreement with Jacob in 1978 for the upkeep of the cemetery, which finally lapsed in 2005. Since then there has been no agreement between the committee and Jacob, yet he continues to occupy the premises.”
D’Souza alleged that Jacob razed many old graves to the ground and has been utilising the cemetery for running an illegal nursery. He also accused Jacob of selling priceless marble grave ornaments. “Jacob has been sub-letting portions of the cemetery for a garage and for housing his employees,” he said.
D’Souza and members of PCDS lodged an official complaint with the ward officer of Hadapsar and the Wanavdi police station.
Jacob denied any wrongdoing and said he was well within his rights to maintain a nursery. “The agreement had allowed me to maintain a nursery at the cemetery,” he said.
Admitting that the agreement had lapsed, Jacob said the committee was at fault for not renewing the contract. “I have sent them repeated reminders to renew the contract, but they have failed to do so,” he said.
He also accused the present committee of not doing enough to get him the necessary permission to cut some of the bushes and overgrown trees.
When asked about the allegation of missing grave ornament, Jacob said the previous committee had removed the statues to a neighbouring cemetery. “I have a letter from the secretary to that effect,” he said. He has filed a counter complaint of manhandling against D’Souza and members of the PCDS.
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