Events & Personalities
‘Godson’ claims flat
Consequent to the publication of an obituary notice in The Times of India (TOI) of April 19, 2013 announcing the demise of Merwanjee Ardeshir Chinoy, former director of Gazder Private Limited (Jewellers), inserted by one Rusi Rattonsha Bamboat, in which he has stated that he "could not conduct the funeral ceremony… as the body was impounded by trustees of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP),” Dinshaw Mehta, chairman of the BPP, has issued a cautionary note and clarification to all community members.
"Close on the heels” of an earlier episode, the trustees were faced with an almost similar one just a week later, writes Mehta. Chinoy, a lone resident of M-36, Cusrow Baug expired on April 16, 2013. During the weekly board meeting the trustees received a telephone call at about 9 p.m. from Doongerwadi manager Jimmy Poonawalla that Bamboat, a resident of Salsette Parsi Colony, claiming to be the godson of the deceased, had telephoned him to send the hearse. The BPP trustees instructed Poonawalla to send the hearse but to insist on a relative of the deceased carrying out the dakhmenashini ceremony, in the absence of which they would have to advertise in The Bombay Samachar calling on relatives to come forward to do so, as per instructions from the Police department for lavaris (unclaimed) persons.
The hearse was sent and the body arrived at midnight accompanied by Bamboat who, on being queried by the Doongerwadi staff about his exact relationship, claimed that Chinoy was his godfather, noted Mehta. Since no such relationship exists in law, Bamboat was informed that the correct procedure would have to be followed and until then the body would be kept in the morgue. Bamboat reportedly demanded the body back and threatened to take it for cremation if he was not permitted to do the ceremony and have the receipt issued in his name. On advice from the trustees, the Doongerwadi staff instructed him to approach the Malabar Hill Police Station and obtain their no objection certificate to take the body for cremation. Bamboat immediately went to the police station and returned with a policeman, writes Mehta. When the latter politely asked what his relationship to the deceased was Bamboat reiterated that Chinoy was his godfather. The policeman asked "Té kai (what’s that)?” and reportedly ordered the BPP staff not to hand over the body to Bamboat until the necessary formalities were complied with.
Since it was too late to publish the notice in the next day’s Samachar, this was done on April 18, and the paidast, uthamna and other four-day rituals carried out. Said to have no living relatives, Chinoy had paid in advance and entrusted the panthaky of the Karani Agiary to perform the after-death ceremonies.
On the night of the demise, according to Mehta’s note, a woman (presumably Bamboat’s wife) barged into Chinoy’s flat with a small bag and was still there. Later, Bamboat too forced his way into the Cusrow Baug flat and is illegally occupying it, alleges Mehta. The BPP records show that Chinoy had left specific instructions that the flat should revert to the trust after his demise. Chinoy’s friend Hoshi Mody, a member of the Cusrow Baug Association, who looked after him, also reportedly told the BPP that Bamboat was in no way related to Chinoy and that the latter had left a will whereby the flat should revert to the BPP and the furniture and other effects be bequeathed to his servants.
Mehta writes that further inquiries are in progress and unless the Bamboat family vacates the flat peacefully, the BPP will be forced to enter into litigation to protect and restore trust property.
When Bamboat was contacted by Parsiana on May 22, at 2.30 p.m. for his side of the story he refused to speak about the matter over the telephone, saying that he was very busy. He insisted Parsiana visit him by prior appointment later in the day at his residence. When queried whether he was at his Salsette Colony home, he replied "No. At M-36 Cusrow Baug.” He declined speaking on the mobile or responding to queries by email as well.
"Close on the heels” of an earlier episode, the trustees were faced with an almost similar one just a week later, writes Mehta. Chinoy, a lone resident of M-36, Cusrow Baug expired on April 16, 2013. During the weekly board meeting the trustees received a telephone call at about 9 p.m. from Doongerwadi manager Jimmy Poonawalla that Bamboat, a resident of Salsette Parsi Colony, claiming to be the godson of the deceased, had telephoned him to send the hearse. The BPP trustees instructed Poonawalla to send the hearse but to insist on a relative of the deceased carrying out the dakhmenashini ceremony, in the absence of which they would have to advertise in The Bombay Samachar calling on relatives to come forward to do so, as per instructions from the Police department for lavaris (unclaimed) persons.
The hearse was sent and the body arrived at midnight accompanied by Bamboat who, on being queried by the Doongerwadi staff about his exact relationship, claimed that Chinoy was his godfather, noted Mehta. Since no such relationship exists in law, Bamboat was informed that the correct procedure would have to be followed and until then the body would be kept in the morgue. Bamboat reportedly demanded the body back and threatened to take it for cremation if he was not permitted to do the ceremony and have the receipt issued in his name. On advice from the trustees, the Doongerwadi staff instructed him to approach the Malabar Hill Police Station and obtain their no objection certificate to take the body for cremation. Bamboat immediately went to the police station and returned with a policeman, writes Mehta. When the latter politely asked what his relationship to the deceased was Bamboat reiterated that Chinoy was his godfather. The policeman asked "Té kai (what’s that)?” and reportedly ordered the BPP staff not to hand over the body to Bamboat until the necessary formalities were complied with.
Since it was too late to publish the notice in the next day’s Samachar, this was done on April 18, and the paidast, uthamna and other four-day rituals carried out. Said to have no living relatives, Chinoy had paid in advance and entrusted the panthaky of the Karani Agiary to perform the after-death ceremonies.
On the night of the demise, according to Mehta’s note, a woman (presumably Bamboat’s wife) barged into Chinoy’s flat with a small bag and was still there. Later, Bamboat too forced his way into the Cusrow Baug flat and is illegally occupying it, alleges Mehta. The BPP records show that Chinoy had left specific instructions that the flat should revert to the trust after his demise. Chinoy’s friend Hoshi Mody, a member of the Cusrow Baug Association, who looked after him, also reportedly told the BPP that Bamboat was in no way related to Chinoy and that the latter had left a will whereby the flat should revert to the BPP and the furniture and other effects be bequeathed to his servants.
Mehta writes that further inquiries are in progress and unless the Bamboat family vacates the flat peacefully, the BPP will be forced to enter into litigation to protect and restore trust property.
When Bamboat was contacted by Parsiana on May 22, at 2.30 p.m. for his side of the story he refused to speak about the matter over the telephone, saying that he was very busy. He insisted Parsiana visit him by prior appointment later in the day at his residence. When queried whether he was at his Salsette Colony home, he replied "No. At M-36 Cusrow Baug.” He declined speaking on the mobile or responding to queries by email as well.
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