The dubious sales deed, according to Sushma Kaushal, states that Rajkumari Bharadwaj, her mother, through a power of attorney issued by her daughter, had enacted the transaction with the Dalai Lama through the secretary, Council of Tibetan Education.
"This so-called power of attorney was never shown to us," says Sushma Kaushal. "My husband and I were not present when the 'transaction' took place. We have official communication made from sea to the Tuticorin port to prove it."
The Kaushals told this correspondent that the mutation for revenue records of the property was illegally transferred to Rajkumari Bharadwaj, Sushma Kaushal's late mother. A new deed was drafted on July 7, 1979.
According to Rajesh Kaushal, "My grandmother was never ever involved. The so-called power of attorney was not produced in the high court. In fact, the naik tahasildar, who appeared before the court, said though it is mentioned in the new sales deed there was no copy of the power of attorney or affidavit available."
"The Council violated FERA (the Foreign Exchange Regulatory Act, which has since been replaced by the Foreign Exchange Management Act) laws," he alleged, "since foreigners are required to seek the Reserve Bank of India's permission before purchasing property in the country. They never did that and only applied for permission on 25/08/86. The permission was granted one year later along with some severe conditions. The RBI probably was not aware that the sale had already taken place."
The property now houses a commercial printing press and some buildings. Foundations have been laid down for further expansion. About 25 families live on the premises.
"We made a number of repeated appeals to meet the Dalai Lama in person," adds Rama Malik, Rajesh Kaushal's wife, "and put forth our grievances, but we were always denied permission. We were told not to involve the Dalai Lama in the issue and sort it out between ourselves."
Advertisement
