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Parsiana
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Events & Personalities

“‘Godson’ claims flat”

By Sherene Vakil · July 7, 2013
Pointing out his long standing relationship with the late Cusrow Baug resident Merwanjee Ardeshir Chinoy, his "godson” Rusi Rattonsha Bamboat told Parsiana he had no intention of usurping the flat occupied by Chinoy (see "‘Godson’ claims flat,” Events and Personalities, Parsiana, June 7) and that the premises had been returned to the N. N. and R. N. Wadia Baugs representative on June 7, 2013. Bamboat said he knew the deceased, a former director of Gazder Private Limited (Jewellers) since his childhood days and that Chinoy had been like a father to him.
He disputes the allegation made by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) chairman Dinshaw Mehta in a public notice issued on April 23, 2013 and published in the Parsi Press that his wife, Katy "barged into Mr Chinoy’s M-36 flat, with a small bag and, is still there till date.” Bamboat claims he called his wife to the flat so somebody would be with the corpse while he obtained the municipal death certificate. The allegation that she "ghoosi gai (entered illegally)” is unfounded, Bamboat asserted. Since it was late at night she had carried a change of clothing in a bag.
Chinoy, who expired on April 16, 2013 had appointed Bamboat as one of the two executors of his will, a condition in which was that the flat be returned to the BPP on his death. The surrender letter printed on Rs 500 government of India stamp paper states: "We, the executors nor anyone claiming through us shall have any right, title, interest or claim in the said flat or any part thereof.”
Regarding Mehta’s allegation that "the furniture and articles had been bequeathed to (Chinoy’s) servants,” Bamboat showed Parsiana a copy of the will that also left several pieces of furniture to him. A number of handwritten notes were also produced wherein Chinoy had left instructions as to what was to be done upon his death and that Bamboat should "undertake obsequial ceremonies.”
A resident of the Salsette Parsi Colony, the 72-year-old former bank manager had been asked to comment on the allegations by Parsiana on May 22 prior to publication of the report. At that time Bamboat had declined. Subsequently he phoned and visited the Parsiana office on June 19, 2013 to give his side of the story.
Bamboat said Chinoy was a bachelor and lived with his sister Jaiji. She had predeceased Merwanjee and Bamboat was an executor of her will as well. "I was more than a son to them,” said the soft spoken Bamboat.
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