The meeting that wasn’t
Efforts by the trustees to salvage the Bombay Parsi Punchayet’s tarnished image fizzled out
An attempt to broker peace between the warring trustees of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) as well as the Mehta family was aborted after BPP chairman Yazdi Desai shot down the proposal.
The initiative was taken by BPP trustee Kersi Randeria who "in the interest of the community and its image" sent a text message to his co-trustees proposing "eminent members of the community" be invited to a board meeting so that a joint statement could be issued regarding the recent unsavory events in the community.
On September 8, 2016 a verbal and physical skirmish took place between Randeria, Hormuz Mehta, a lawyer and son of former BPP chairman Dinshaw Mehta, and Dinshaw outside the Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court at Ballard Pier following a hearing concerning allegations that Dinshaw took cash payment to facilitate the transfer of tenancy at the BPP owned Dady House in Bombay’s Fort area.
"It is to be noted that I am not proposing to talk about any incident nor am I suggesting that the elders take sides. All that I propose is a joint statement. I have discussed this with BPP trustee Noshir Dadrawala. Noshir has kindly agreed to take this forward," stated Randeria’s text dated around September 16. The seven individuals selected were Dastur Khurshed Dastoor, high priest of Udvada, Dinshaw Tamboly, former BPP trustee and managing trustee of the WZO (World Zoroastrian Organisation) Trust Funds, Farrokh Kavarana, former director of Tata Sons, Homi Ranina, former BPP trustee, World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshti’s founder trustee and tax expert, Sam Balsara, chairman of Madison advertising, Darius Khambata, lawyer and former solicitor general of Maharashstra and Berjis Desai, senior partner of J. Sagar Associates, columnist and community activist.
Dadrawala replied on September 18, "Personally I am comfortable with all the three names that you have suggested" but noted that the seven people had already been invited. "I would suggest that if any one or more of the seven invitees is unable to join us, we could call Khurshed and/or Adi.
"Where Muncherji is concerned, I would have slight reservations only on two technical counts: Will he be attending as a trustee or as an invitee? His position, in his own words, is ‘in limbo.’ He has filed some cases against us. And, thus, I personally feel that where Muncherji is concerned we should have a separate meeting with him, after discussion amongst ourselves first.
"In the meantime, I am making myself clear and in writing: Muncherji’s grouse with us is that we do not send him all the papers. Subject to all colleague trustees agreeing, let us resolve to send him all the papers. Since we all want to end acrimony and promote transparency, I propose we send him all the papers.
From far left: Yazdi Desai, Armaity Tirandaz, Noshir Dadrawala and Viraf Mehta
Viraf replied on September 17, at 11.52 p.m, "In principle I am out (sic) with what is being proposed but if there is to be a mediation (then) ALL concerned parties should be present, which would include my father Dinshaw and my brother Hormuz. Otherwise this effort is futile...
"Noshir, if we agree to send papers to Cama to sign, including LL (leave and licence) and Tenancy, then a lot of our problems get resolved. Let the case in court continue and then we will honor the court’s decision. In the meantime let us send him the papers."
Dadrawala replied on September 18 at 9.11 a.m., "Again, and this is speaking only on my own, I would have no problem with your father attending. But, then, I do not want the boardroom to become a ‘boxing ring’ and I mean absolutely no offence when I say this. The object of this meeting is not to discuss the cash transaction or what happened at the Metropolitan Court.
"Remember, we are calling some very eminent Parsis on Tuesday and they will be present not to judge who is right and what is wrong. It’s not going to be a platform for venting or ventilating. Kersi and Yazdi have already been told this by me and I am therefore telling this to you as well.
"Yes, the cases will and must go on. Let the law take its own course and we will all abide by what the CC and other courts where cases are pending rule… Where your dad is concerned, you may represent him. You are in any case an elected trustee and do not need an invitation."
Yazdi Desai interjected on September 18, at 1.35 p.m., "It is not a mediation meeting so wanting to call Munchi or Dinshaw Mehta or Hormuz is puerile thinking. I understand the meeting is to only show the community that we have taken some community elders into confidence and have them issue a joint statement to assure the community that the BPP continues to be on the right track.
"Noshir, I am not at all in favor of sending any papers to Munchi and would wait for the CC to decide his (fate). To me he has (o)pted in very convincing words to get ‘out’ and should stay out! If some of us are going to complicate this issue let us abandon the idea."
Viraf Mehta retorted on September 18, at 2.24 p.m., "Speaking to our legal team I have been informed that our legal advisor, K. K. Nariman, himself has said that Mr Cama continues to be a trustee until the courts decide otherwise.
"That is why his signature is taken till date on fresh plaints. If his signature is extended to housing agreements, there is nothing wrong. And if the court’s verdict states otherwise, we can always take his name out going forward. The issue is being created in the board. If that is not resolved, nor will the other problems.
"Noshir, what is the agenda of this meeting then? If the current mud-slinging doesn’t stop, how do you expect things to go forward? If these elders are not going to address the issue at hand, then what is the point? That is why it’s important for ALL involved parties to be present.
"The tone of the meeting can be controlled if everyone is agreeable to behaving civil. For my part and the part of my family, I can ensure that."
Desai replied on September 18, at 3.06 p.m., "K. K. Nariman is a Rent Act specialist lawyer. Is it so difficult to comprehend that Munchi has (o)pted in very strong words to get ‘out’ and so should stay out. That is the essence and legality be damned!
"Noshir, let us abandon this idea please... I am now not in favor of the meeting... Sorry."
Dadrawala responded on September 18, at 3.41 and 6.03 p.m., "I have tried hard and sincerely to accommodate everyone from Mighty Munchi to Daddy Dinshaw ... but, apparently, our individual egos are far too inflated and somewhere we have a death wish about which no one can do anything. Go drown yourselves in your cup of intoxication, mistrust and hatred.
"Yes, the meeting with the stalwarts is off and you all can have your routine meeting and argue till the cows come home this Tuesday, but don’t count me in. Good luck and goodbye."