Tangra resto owner files land-grab plaint

Kolkata: A forgery-and-impersonation racket has allegedly emerged in Tangra after restaurant owner Monica Liu claimed a fake power of attorney was registered by someone posing as her, then used to secure a mutation at KMC in favour of multiple developer-linked firms, enabling an attempted takeover of two leased plots on Matheswartala Road.Liu, who runs restaurants in Tangra and other parts of Kolkata, said she discovered the alleged fraud about two weeks ago when unknown men entered and occupied the two plots. She said this was when she realised "something had drastically changed on paper." She has written to the police commissioner, joint CP Crime, DC East and OC Pragati Maidan PS, secured an injunction from Alipore court and has filed a writ before Calcutta High Court against the disputed POA.According to the documents, Liu is the 99-year lessee of around 15 cottahs 2 chittacks at premises No. 75 (and linked municipal premises including 83B), Matheswartala Road, under a lease deed dated Nov 18, 2011, registered at ARA-1 Kolkata. She said she has been in possession since 2011, her name was mutated as lessee at KMC, and she has regularly paid municipal taxes.The issue surfaced when her name allegedly disappeared from KMC assessment records and new entities were recorded instead. Liu has filed objections with the municipal commissioner, questioning how the names of several real estate companies have been included instead. She called the changes illegal and void."Premises 83B has 120 roosters that have not been fed for two years. We are therefore seeking immediate intervention," she said.