Baiju KottarakkaraKochi: A Federal Bank manager locked out the minor daughter and son of movie director Baiju Kottarakkara from their house, a complaint received at the State Human Rights Commission showed. The commission’s acting chairman, P Mohandas, has ordered the bank’s Varappuzha branch manager to appear before the commission with an explanation on May 26.
Baiju, who is also the general secretary of the Malayalam Cine Technicians’ Association (MACTA), said he had transferred the house and land in his name in Varappuzha to his children to abide by a court order. The property is valued around Rs 2 crore.
The forced eviction happened on April 26, according to the complaint filed by the director and his daughter. Baiju was not at home. The children were away for a study class in Kottayam. When they returned on April 29, they found that the house had been broken into and the bank manager and her aide had secured the door with another lock.
The manager and a guard hired by the bank were at the house when the children returned. The manager told the children that the house has been attached by the bank. When the children said that they did not have a place to go, the manager threatened to call in the goons to throw them out. Unable to cope with the stress, the girl passed out.
The complaint also accuses the manager, Anitha, and the employee, Shinto, of badmouthing the children. Baiju said that they never let him or his children to present their case.
Mohandas said that the incident, if true, was a grave violation of human rights. To force open a house in the absence of the residents and to lock it with another key was nothing but a violation of human rights, he observed while taking up Baiju’s complaint.
Anitha has been asked to explain her actions in person before the commission at the Aluva Guest House on May 26.
Bank denies charges
The Federal Bank authorities rubbished the claims made by the filmmaker and said rules were followed while taking the property in their possession.
The bank, in a statement, said it had learnt that the residential building had been lying vacant for several months when they took over it.
“The statement that the building was occupied by the borrower's minor children is absolutely false. Even if the property was alienated by the borrower in favor of his children by settlement deed or otherwise, the same will be subject to bank’s absolute mortgage right,” the release said.
The bank said the action was initiated after Baiju along with his former wife Sonia defaulted on repayment of various loans availed by them for running his business and construction of his house.
