VASCO: In an inspiring story of exemplary resilience and community support, 80-year-old Indira Halarnkar, a widow and mother of a former municipal councillor, has triumphed after a decade-long struggle to reclaim access to her own house and house tax. She was allegedly abused, beaten and thrown out of her house by her daughter-in-law, after Indira’s son died. She was forced to stay in her son-in-law’s shop and was in very bad shape. With the relentless efforts of social worker Jai Prakash Amonkar, neighbour Anthony Fernandes, and the Senior Citizens Forum President, Anil Chodankar, Indira won back her house.
Indira Halarnkar’s ordeal began ten years ago after her son died. She discovered that the house tax had been illegally transferred by her daughter-in-law’s on her name. When she sought assistance from the Mormugao Municipal Council, she was met with indifference. Indira’s situation worsened as her daughter-in-law not only denied her access to the house but also allegedly subjected her to beating and confining her to a single room.
Three years ago, Jai Prakash Amonkar, moved by Indira’s plight, took up her case. “She was 70 when she decided to fight for herself. The MMC informed her that her house tax had been transferred to her daughter-in-law’s name. Despite questioning the authorities, she received no help. When we saw her being mistreated and denied access to her own home, we knew we had to act,” said Amonkar.
Anil Chodankar, the President of the Senior Citizens Forum, was approached by concerned individuals. After reviewing the case, Chodankar filed a complaint with the Deputy Collector. “It was clear that a senior citizen and mother was being harassed by her own family. We proved that she owned the house and shop, yet the income was taken by her daughter-in-law by renting the house. Indira was determined to live in her own home until her last breath. With Amonkar’s support and the neighbors’ help, we pursued justice with the MMC,” Chodankar stated.
Neighbor Anthony Fernandes expressed his solidarity with Indira, saying, “We called her Aai and couldn’t bear to see her suffer. Along with Amonkar and Chodankar, we fought tirelessly. Finally, justice has been served, and Aai can now live peacefully in her own home.”
The Chief Officer, Deepesh Priolkar, passed the order in Indira’s favor, transferring the house tax back to her name and ensuring she receives the income generated from her shop. This victory not only restores Indira Halarnkar’s rights but also sets a precedent for protecting the rights of senior citizens everywhere.
Narrating her ordeal, Indira Halarnkar stated, “Ten years ago I was thrown out of the house. I emphasized I want to stay in my husband’s house. I could not afford the lawyer’s fee of Rs 2000 when I found that the tax had been changed to my daughter in law’s name. Her advocate told me to compromise and stay in the house and she would feed you. I said I want my house. I was beaten three times and thrown out of the house.”
“Then I was given shelter by my son-in-law in his shop by removing all his things. She began harassing me after my son died. Then she remarried and rented the house. I fought relentlessly. Social worker Jai Prakash Amonkar, neighbour Anthony Fernandes, and the Senior Citizens Forum President, Anil Chodankar all helped me. I used to cry day and night and pray to God. These saviours helped me. I also thank the media for helping me and keep on helping senior citizens,” she appealed.
Indira Halarnkar’s ordeal began ten years ago after her son died. She discovered that the house tax had been illegally transferred by her daughter-in-law’s on her name. When she sought assistance from the Mormugao Municipal Council, she was met with indifference. Indira’s situation worsened as her daughter-in-law not only denied her access to the house but also allegedly subjected her to beating and confining her to a single room.
Three years ago, Jai Prakash Amonkar, moved by Indira’s plight, took up her case. “She was 70 when she decided to fight for herself. The MMC informed her that her house tax had been transferred to her daughter-in-law’s name. Despite questioning the authorities, she received no help. When we saw her being mistreated and denied access to her own home, we knew we had to act,” said Amonkar.
Anil Chodankar, the President of the Senior Citizens Forum, was approached by concerned individuals. After reviewing the case, Chodankar filed a complaint with the Deputy Collector. “It was clear that a senior citizen and mother was being harassed by her own family. We proved that she owned the house and shop, yet the income was taken by her daughter-in-law by renting the house. Indira was determined to live in her own home until her last breath. With Amonkar’s support and the neighbors’ help, we pursued justice with the MMC,” Chodankar stated.
Neighbor Anthony Fernandes expressed his solidarity with Indira, saying, “We called her Aai and couldn’t bear to see her suffer. Along with Amonkar and Chodankar, we fought tirelessly. Finally, justice has been served, and Aai can now live peacefully in her own home.”
The Chief Officer, Deepesh Priolkar, passed the order in Indira’s favor, transferring the house tax back to her name and ensuring she receives the income generated from her shop. This victory not only restores Indira Halarnkar’s rights but also sets a precedent for protecting the rights of senior citizens everywhere.
Narrating her ordeal, Indira Halarnkar stated, “Ten years ago I was thrown out of the house. I emphasized I want to stay in my husband’s house. I could not afford the lawyer’s fee of Rs 2000 when I found that the tax had been changed to my daughter in law’s name. Her advocate told me to compromise and stay in the house and she would feed you. I said I want my house. I was beaten three times and thrown out of the house.”
“Then I was given shelter by my son-in-law in his shop by removing all his things. She began harassing me after my son died. Then she remarried and rented the house. I fought relentlessly. Social worker Jai Prakash Amonkar, neighbour Anthony Fernandes, and the Senior Citizens Forum President, Anil Chodankar all helped me. I used to cry day and night and pray to God. These saviours helped me. I also thank the media for helping me and keep on helping senior citizens,” she appealed.
