Original owners of Sanjan bungalow oppose sale

MUMBAI: The original owners of the Sanjan bungalow property, which was later converted into an affordable sanatorium for members of the Parsi-Irani community, have strongly opposed its sale to a builder.

The Davierwalla family sold their ancestral property to the World Zoroastrian Organisation Trust Funds (WZOTF) in 1997 at a “below market rate” of Rs 65 lakh, with the condition that it be used only for community purposes.

Last week, TOI reported the growing opposition against the sale of the 2.5-acre property by the WZOTF, which claims it is running into losses because of poor occupancy. In a letter addressed to the trustees of WZOTF, the Davierwalla sisters, Anahita and Roshan, said they “strongly and unequivocally oppose the proposed sale of our ancestral property at Sanjan.” The Sanjan town in Gujarat is located about 150 km from Mumbai.

“The property was sold by our family at a nominal consideration only for the exclusive use, benefit, and welfare of the Parsi Zoroastrian community. Its purpose was clearly defined to serve as a senior citizens’ centre, orphanage, home for the aged, widows’ dharamshala, and similar community-focused facilities for Parsi-Irani Zarathustris only. Any attempt to sell, repurpose, or commercially exploit this sacred community asset would violate the very covenants and intent under which the property was transferred,” it said.

“We also categorically deny and condemn the false and misleading rumour that we have provided any form of consent or approval for such a sale,” said the sisters.

Anahita Davierwalla said, “In keeping with the long-standing wishes of my late father, a devout Parsi Zoroastrian, the property was conveyed to the WZO for a nominal and negligible consideration. The transfer was made solely due to WZO representing itself as a trust established for the benefit of the Zoroastrian community, and with the clear intention that the property would remain perpetually within the community.”

Advocate Rayomand Zaiwalla told TOI: "The Davierwalla family transferred their huge family estate consisting of a palatial bungalow, horse stables, outhouses, and huge land situated just outside Sanjan railway station in 1997 at way below market price to WZO, a public charitable trust with a specific clause in the transfer deed that it will only be used for the benefit of poor and needy members of the community." He added, “It was not given to the WZO so that its trustees could later resell it to the builder lobby for commercial exploitation.”

Meanwhile, three community members have filed a caveat in the charity commissioner’s office to stall the property sale. A community organisation, World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zoroastrians (WAPIZ), has offered Rs 5 crore to the WZOTF to buy over the property and keep it within the community.

A WAPIZ member said they believe the ready reckoner value of the property is around Rs 3 crore. Besides, while inviting bids, the WZOTF has not put any reserve price. “As a trust, this is the maximum WAPIZ can stretch. It is a huge thing we are taking on because WAPIZ felt that this property should stay within our community,” said a WAPIZ member.



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