Trustee suspended for money siphoning

The Charity Commission office has suspended a former priest and trustee of the Bombay Diocesan Trust Association Private Limited, Rev PB Amolik, for alleged misappropriation of funds.

Joint charity commissioner MS Jawalkar passed the order  on July 23 after one James Baker from the community lodged a complaint against Amolik.  “I had filed the complaint against the trustee when money was being siphoned off. He would take money from people and (part of it) was deposited as donations. Trustees were siphoning off money and were using it to fight criminal case against those who were complaining,” Baker said.

While deciding the application, Jawalkar dealt with issues of 10 properties used by the trust in the city and various parts of Maharasthra, including Pune, Matheran and one in Ahmedabad. They are said to be running into thousands of crores of rupees. The charges against him are of neglecting his duties and committing misfeasance, malfeasance and improperly dealing with the Trust properties. In city, the properties are on Claire Road, Byculla Agripada and Proctor Road in Grant Road.

In the order, the joint charity commissioner took a strong exception of trustees assuming or disowning a status of trustee “as per their convenience”. She has suspended Amolik till the time another application on removal of trustees is heard. 

When contacted, P Amolik said, “We have challenged this order. Our appeal is coming for hearing. Next week we will go to the HC on this issue.”