Doreen’s struggle of 20 years finally ends: Bhujbals pay Rs 8.41 cr to Fernandes family
Doreen's struggle of 20 years finally ends: Bhujbals pay ₹8.41 cr to Fernandes family
In the midst of numerous challenges, Doreen Fernandes has persevered, becoming the sole caregiver for her three autistic sons after the loss of her husband, Claude Fernandes. Social activist and former Aam Aadmi Party leader Anjali Damania recently shed light on the family’s plight, bringing attention to their resilience in the face of adversity.
Doreen Fernandes, a Santacruz-based widow, who has been at war with Nationalist Congress Party minister Chhagan Bhujbal and his family for her rightful share following the sale of her ancestral bungalow 20 years ago, has finally received her dues.
After enduring public scrutiny due to accusations of land grabbing and prolonged dispute, the Bhujbals have now settled with Doreen, making a final payment of ₹8.41 crore.
The family’s helplessness was recently brought to light by social activist and former Aam Aadmi Party leader Anjali Damania. The activist’s 14-minute video clip of a press conference where she accused the Bhujbals of depriving the Fernandes family of their rightful share went viral. On Monday, she posted pictures of Doreen’s passbook which displayed the amount credited to her bank account. She thanked Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for making the Bhujbal’s concede. “I have fought many battles against corruption. But this fight has given me a huge satisfaction,” she said.
Damania first raked up the issue in 2014-15 when Bhujbal and his nephew Sameer, a former MP, faced arrest but it was not much noticed. When the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government came to power, Damania approached NCP leader Supriya Sule, who had promised to solve the issue.
Last month, Damania threatened to sit on dharna with Doreen and her three autistic sons but was denied permission by police. She then addressed a press conference, the video of which did the rounds that day.
She alleged the Catholic family was allegedly evicted from their property to make a residential building for the Bhujbals.
Damania said it prompted the CM and DCM to intervene.
In 1994, the family made a deal with a builder, anticipating five flats in exchange for their ancestral residence’s space. However, the developer sold the plot to a company owned by Sameer Bhujbal. The bungalow was replaced with a high-rise tower, and while the Bhujbals now inhabit the building, the Fernandes family, according to Damania, received no compensation. Despite Damania filing a case regarding Bhujbals’ disproportionate assets of ₹2,600 crore, the family remained uncompensated.
Doreen is now relieved from the worries about the future of her sons. “It has been a long wait. We had meetings with Bhujbal’s lawyers for quite some time. Supriya Sule put a lot of pressure; she was present in all the meetings,” said Doreen. “I will invest the money and take care of my sons. I will also form a trust where the funds will remain safe after I am gone.”
