After nearly four decades of tenancy, a family of four now faces uncertainty of residence as a college seeks to expand their premises. With the St. Aloysius College claiming ownership of 34 cents of land at Patrao Lane, Karangalpady – adjacent to the college – John Baptist D’Souza (57) said they broke the lock of his house, physically threatened him and even cut off the utilities in the house.
Compensation
On November 11, the college broke the lock of their house; while on Friday — after a meeting with college officials where the family refused the Rs. 5 lakh compensation offered — power and water supply was cut.
Mr. D’Souza says he gave up an engineer’s post to take care of his aunt Alice Lydia D’Souza nearly four decades ago, and later even her nephew.
“Because of an illness, I can no more go to a regular shop. The money they offered is not enough to rehabilitate my family,” he said, adding that his two daughters were still in college.
While he works as a painter, his wife works as a domestic help in Dubai.
Even though the matter is legally fuzzy, P.B. D’Sa, State President of People’s Union For Civil Liberties, said since the family had been living there for decades, and were financially weak, tenancy laws should ensure they received adequate compensation.
Reaction
In a release, Cyril D'Mello, Manager, Property and Constructions, St Aloysius College said that Mr. Louis has been ‘residing illegally’ in the property, which was bequeathed to the college by the Will of Ms. D’Souza on May 15, 1986.
The college has said the only condition was to allow Ms. Alice Lydia D’Souza’s nephew, Errol Flin Gonsalves to live there. On Mr. Gonsalves’ death in July 9, 2013, the property came to the Karnataka Jesuit Educational Society which runs St. Aloysius College.
The college further states that ‘a substantial sum’ was offered to Mr. D’Souza, which he refused.
And since then, the college was ‘forced’ to register a complaint at Mangalore North police station and cut water and power supply to the house.
