Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (DV)

Mangalore, Jun 26: The controversy over a property at Karangalpady between its occupant John Baptist and St Aloysius College management took a decisive turn on Thursday June 26 with the College administration getting the house demolished.

John Baptist Lewis, said to be the adopted son of Alice D'Souza, had claimed that he had been living with Alice D'Souza for 40 years, at a house in Patrao Lane, Karangalpady, and later, St Aloysius College claimed ownership of the house and asked him to vacate.

However, St Aloysius College maintained that John Baptist had been illegally residing in the college premises and refusing to vacate despite repeated requests. The College had said that it has all the documents to prove its ownership of the property and that attempts to negotiate had failed.

Speaking to media persons, John Baptist, a painter by profession, said that at around 3 pm, around 40 persons including Fr Francis Almeida and Fr Cyril representing the College administration came to the spot and got the house demolished. Baptist claimed that when he refused to give in, he was threatened and forcibly carried away in a jeep, and later when he was dropped back, he found the structure of the house demolished, along with his belongings like television and others.

Baptist's lawyer, who did not want to be named, said that the case is pending in court. He also alleged that a laptop and Baptist's daughters' gold ornaments which were in the house were taken away, and that the girls, who arrived later, were 'manhandled'.

Baptist's two daughters were away at work at the time of the incident. One of the daughters, Savitha, speaking to media persons, said that when she received call about the incident, she informed her sister and both of them rushed home and found the gates closed. "When I enquired with the priest, he refused to answer and pushed me away," she said.

P B D'Sa of PUCL and Suresh Bhat Bakrabail of Komu Souharda Vedike arrived at the spot and condemned the action taken by the College. They said they would filed a complaint with the police.

Speaking to daijiworld, Fr Almeida said that the College had clearance from the city corporation and the authorities concerned to demolish the house. He said that Baptist's belongings were taken in a truck to Fajir where Baptist owns six acres of land. He also denied allegatons that Baptist's daughters were manhandled and said that the girls were not at the spot. 

Fr Cyril D’Mello speaking to mediapersons said that all allegations about usurping John Baptist's belongings were false, and that that the property had been donated to St Aloysius College by Alice D'Souza in her will. He further alleged that Baptist had made fake documents to claim the property as his, while the College was in possession of the original documents.

He further said that the College would be directed to build a house for John Baptist.

Media Release from St Aloysius College

"This is to bring to the notice of the Press that the property bearing survey no. 224V-10 in 89A Kodialbail Village of Mangalore Taluk, DK District (House No. 14-1-49, 49A) belonged originally to Alice Lydia D’Souza and who donated it through her Will to St Aloysius College on May 15, 1986. However, the Will also directed the College to build a house and give to her (Alice Lydia D’Souza) nephew, Errol Flin Gonsalves, or allow him to reside in the house that existed in the property (House no. 14-1-49, 49A), till his death. After the death of Alice Lydia D’Souza, the property (Survey No 224 V-10) was transferred legally to Karnataka Jesuit Educational Society that runs the College. Further, as per the wish of Alice Lydia D’Souza, her nephew, Errol Flin Gonsalves was allowed to reside in the house that stood on the property without any interference. Errol Flin Gonsalves passed away on July 9, 2013.

But, Errol Flin Gonsalves had brought John Baptist Louis to look after him in his old age. John Baptist Louis has absolutely no relationship to the property and to the original owners of the house.

The Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) in its recent order dated 25-1-2014 (Revenue/CR 255/R 12216/2014-15/A5) has rejected John Baptist Louis’ dubious resident letter which was acquired by producing false documents. In another order dated 25-2-2014 (Revenue/CR 358/R 14947/13-14/A11) MCC has annulled his application questioning the ownership of the property held by the College, following his inability to produce any documents.

During the recent rainfall, a tree fell on the old house existing in the said property and damaged the dilapidated construction further, risking the lives. Also, as the College administration wants to develop this property for the good of students, it demolished the dilapidated construction existing in the said property, the College being the legal owners.

In the undertaking given to the police by John Baptist Louis (dated 8-11-2013), it is stated that he has no residence. However, the College has documents to prove that he owns a property and a house which is vacant (house no. 1-2-77) situated at Dharmatota, Boliyar Panchayat limits, Mangalore Taluk, DK District. The College also has documents to prove that he has illegally acquired two ration cards.

This only shows that John Baptist Louis has been trying to deceive the law and the authority by producing false documents. The two orders of MCC too bear witness to this character of John Baptist Louis. Added to this, he is also frequenting the premises of the PG Ladies Hostel of the College which is nearby, thus causing nuisance to the inmates."