TEAM HERALD
PONDA: The rift between the Bardez Bazaar Consumer’s Cooperative Society and the landlord has intensified over the disputed premises in Ponda, with Ponda Police arresting two private security guards posted at the premises.
Following the decision of the landlord, Joseph Fernandes, to reclaim his premises, which were rented out to Bardez Bazaar, on Friday night, Ponda police acted on a police complaint by the Bardez Bazaar and arrested two private security guards late Sunday night, while four other security guards are reportedly absconding.
According to Ponda PI C L Patil, the police have also registered an offence against Fernandes.
“The police was to arrest the remaining four bouncers, but they went missing. The owner Joseph Fernandes, was also called for questioning, but he was allowed to take medical treatment in a hospital as he complained of ill health,” said PI Patil.
“An offence has been booked against him under Section 341 for wrongful restraint and under Section 380 for illegally keeping goods in possession. These sections attract arrest and police are likely to arrest him after his treatment,” said PI Patil. “The police will also take possession of the goods kept by him in his custody.”
“If there had been a breach of agreement, the owner was free to go to court, but Fernandes decided to send a notice through his advocate and forcibly took the possession of his premises.”
“The case would have been a civil dispute had the owner handled the matter through a civil court, but the police got involved as he unlawfully took possession of his rented premises,” added PI Patil.
Meanwhile, Bardez Bazaar Chairman Dharma Chodankar told Herald that Bardez Bazaar has suffered heavy losses ever since Fernandes took over his premises.
“The owner deserves arrest as he unlawfully took possession of our goods. We want the police to act swiftly and arrest the accused and to release our material and goods in his possession to avoid any further losses,” said Chodankar.
