Human rights forum interves, aged lady gets justice

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Oct 26, 2017: The foundation took up the issue two weeks ago, the JMFC court, Mangaluru, ordered the arrest of the accused Rama alias Rama Poojary and seizure of his properties. Accordingly, the misappropriated amount of Rs.2.25 lakh shall be repaid to the victim by selling Ram Poojary’s properties.

Girijamma, 80, earned her living by selling bangles door-to-door. She had earned Rs 2 lakh and had deposited the same at the Kadri Cooperative Bank.  Ram Poojary befriended Girijamma by appealing to her motherly instincts, saying :"You are just like my mother. I will take care of you during your last days.’’ Girijamma believed him and gave him the entire sum, fortunately a cheque in 2011. When Poojary failed to repay her money as promised, Girijamma moved the civil court in Mangaluru in 2014. The court passed an order in 2016 directing Poojary to repay Girijamma Rs.2.20 lakh, which included interest.


After struggling to get back her money for 10 months, Girijamma approached the Human Rights Protection Foundation at Udupi. Since Girijamma is suffering from health issues, she was unable to sign and submit her complaint, the foundation sent a complaint to the tribunal.

Six months after, the assistant commissioner of Mangaluru ordered the Konaje police to implement the order passed in favour of Girijamma. Seeing no hopes in the implementation of the order, Girijamma, who is on her death bed, pleaded, "Even if I don’t get the money, it should not go to Poojary. Please give it to an orphanage," said Dr Ravindranath Shanbhag, president, Human Rights Protection Foundation.Shanbhag said that advocate Prasad Bhandary, who handled the case earlier, filed an application against Rama Poojary for contempt of court and prayed for the money to be repaid to her by seizing Poojary’s movable properties. The Konaje police acting upon the orders of the court arrested Poojary and seized his maxi cab and produced him and the vehicle before the court. The court is making arrangement for the auction of the cab to pay Girija her money, said Shanbhag.