Another church property sold at throwaway price

In yet another case of illegal sale of Anglican Church properties, the Bombay Diocesan Trust Association (BDTA) Private Limited has given away a prime piece of property worth over Rs20 crore for Rs7 lakh.The sale was sealed by trust secretary PB Amolik with a rider that the deal was subject to approval of the charity commissioner. However, the commissioner has not yet approved the sale of the property at Clare Road, Nagpada, on which a new 35-storey structure has come up.The 785 sq meter plot adjoining Shepherd’s Home for widows was under the care of BDTA on a lease of 99 years ending in 2036. The plot had a structure named Madraswalla building housing 28 tenants. Two of the tenants, Nafisa Ali and Fizabhai Taherbhai, wrote an undated letter to BDTA offering to purchase the building in 2004. In December 2004, Amolik accepted the offer issuing an undated no objection certificate that an application seeking approval may be made before the charity commissioner. On November 23, 2006, an application seeking the commissioner’s approval moved by Amolik stating that the plot was being sold for Rs8.5 lakh. However, the two receipts signed by Amolik show the sale price as Rs 7 lakh. A part payment of Rs5 lakh for conversion of lease rights was received by Amolik on May 23, 2006.Another receipt signed by Amolik states that the full payment of Rs2 lakh was accepted on September 25, 2006. This receipt mentions that the deal was subject to the commissioner’s approval. On the instruction of Nafisa and Fizabhai, architect for the 35-storey tower project, NK Kadakia, submitted a proposal on April 29, 2006. On January 7, 2008, BMC issued a letter seeking details of the title holder of the property. The construction work had already started by then. The BMC and the charity commissioner’s office records (available with DNA) show that the developers have not submitted the title clearance certificate and the commissioner has not given approval for the sale of the land.