Pics: Justin D’Silva 

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD) 

Udupi, Jul 23: A senior citizen, whose property was taken away by her step-daughter in a fraudulent manner, has now received justice. Thanks to the efforts of Human Rights Protection Foundation (HRPF), Udupi, the Senior Citizens’ Maintenance Administration has passed an order to return the property to its rightful owner. 

Addressing a press meet , HRPF president, Dr Ravindranath Shanboughe, explained the challenges faced by Mary D’Souza. In 2010, Mary’s husband Vigil D’Souza had the ancestral property transferred to his name. However, he died of cardiac arrest in 2013. Julia D’Souza, daughter of Vigil and his first wife Theresa, who is settled in Italy, attended her father’s funeral in 2013. She forcefully took signatures from Mary, whom Vigil had married after Theresa had died. 

With Mary’s signatures, she got the ancestral property registered in her name. Mary was unaware of the transfer, until she received a letter from the revenue department. Mary approached the police station, but they were not able to do anything as the property rights were already transferred. 

Mary used to earn some income, collecting rent from shops. However, Julia diverted the rent money to her account and Mary was left with nothing and was unable to fend for herself. 

The Udupi District Senior Citizens Maintenance Administration, who took up Mary’s case, has now ordered to cancel the second management letter which gave property rights to Julia D’Souza. “Dr Madhukeshwar, president of Senior Citizens’ Maintenance Administration,had personally looked into the case and ensured that Mary got justice,” he added. 

Mary D’Souza told media the injustice and challenges she faced. “I was not in a condition to face the situation after my husband’s death. My husband was suffering from heart and kidney problems. He died due to cardiac arrest. We had kept his body in mortuary for four days as my step daughter wanted to attend the funeral. After four days of the funeral, Julia D’Souza and her relative Jovita came to me and asked me to sign the papers which said that the property will be transferred to Julia D’Souza. They physically assaulted me and threatened that I would live only if I signed the papers. I signed the papers with fear. Then Jovita was given power of attorney to manage the property matters and to collect rent from shops. I also approached the police, but they could not help me in the matter. Then with the help of Joseph Rebello and Dr Ravindranath Shanboughe, I succeeded in getting justice” she said. 

Julia D’Souza had also installed CCTV cameras inside the house and was keeping an eye on the activities happening. The property included 0.87 acre land, 4 houses and 8 shops which were given on rent. 

Joseph Rebello, social activist Prakash Kanive, principal of Vaikunta Baliga College of Law and others were present during the press meet.