The fragile peace that generally characterized the functioning of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) since the trusteeship election two-and-a-half years ago appears to be shattered. Three trustees, Anahita Desai, Hoshang Jal and Dr Adil Malia are said to have written a long letter to the BPP chairman Viraf Mehta and three of their co-trustees, Armaity Tirandaz, Xerxes Dastur and Maharukh Noble expressing their dissent and disapproval of the chairman’s style of functioning. The reasons cited by them allegedly include adhocism, unilateral decision-making, involvement of the chairman’s family in the handling of BPP trust matters, an alleged physical assault at Khareghat Colony where Viraf’s father, Dinshaw, is said to have allegedly hit Ervad Cyrus Dastoor, an office bearer of a rival Colony association, resolving and reportedly settling of issues concerning the chairman’s friends and family in their favor and systematically victimizing others who challenge the chairman and his family. There was a heated argument in the BPP boardroom on January 28, 2025 and reportedly the three signatories are said to have walked out of the trustees’ meeting. Parsiana has not seen the three trustees’ letter which is being kept confidential.
Exterior and interior of the clinic
In the meantime the Khareghat Colony Youth Association Trust Funds (KCYATF) has closed down the Dr Nelie Rustomji Noble Medical Centre managed by them following the alleged assault on their president Dastoor. In a letter addressed to the chairman and trustees of the BPP dated January 31, signed by five presumably committee members of the Association, they stated: "As you are all aware, KCYATF has been running the Nelie Noble Medical Centre at the Khareghat Colony since April 2022. You are also fully aware of the unfortunate and ghastly incident that took place at the clinic on January 24, 2025.
"To place on record: Delzad Doctor (a chiropractor) was offered space at the clinic for three days a week, two hours per day. The payment for the same was Rs 20,000 per month for which a receipt was given to him.
"Doctor (allegedly) started to abuse the privileges offered to him: Started using not only the area demarcated for him but also spread to the other doctors’ area; started increasing practice hours without additional compensation and without our explicit permission; started using the clinic on all days instead of three days per week without additional compensation and without our explicit permission; hired/sub-contracted an assistant, to work on his behalf without any intimation to us; the clinic toilet/basin, etc were left in shabby and dirty conditions; dirty food plates were left in the basin overnight without washing/rinsing.
"He and his associate started taking patients beyond working hours telling the receptionist to leave and that he/his representative would handle the closure.
"He now claims, without any proof, that the rate he pays covers his arrangement for the entire duration of working hours of the clinic. Doctor was told umpteen times to adhere to the timings offered to him. In retaliation to the same, he approached the BPP complaining that he had been mistreated, monies were requested in cash and receipts not provided, etc. Has Doctor been able to substantiate his allegations? Or does his word become the ultimate truth?
"On January 24, 2025, Doctor was informed that henceforth he would have to adhere to the timing offered to him at the start of the verbal agreement. He stormed out of the clinic shouting abuses and threats. He then called the BPP trustees, the Khareghat Colony Welfare Association representatives, Viraf and possibly Dinshaw Mehta.
"In a short while Dinshaw... stormed into the clinic shouting abuses and calling me (Dastoor) a thief and an intruder/obstructionist. During the altercation Dinshaw (allegedly) attacked me. He (allegedly) hit (me) on the face.
"I was informed by people present and those that came to know about it to record this at the local police station. Up till now, out of respect for all of you and for him, I have refrained from doing so, however (I am) reserving my right to do so in the future.
"This aggressive behavior of Dinshaw and the instigations of Doctor has convinced me that the same will not stop and will continue to escalate.
"For the past several years I have dedicated my services to the community... however I do not expect to be manhandled and abused by those in power/those who claim to be in power. I am fearful for my life and my well-being.
"I have spoken to the entire committee at KCYATF and keeping in mind the aggressive behavior and hooliganism that transpired, we no longer wish to continue to handle the running of the said clinic.
"With immediate effect the clinic shall remain closed from our end.”
At Parsiana’s repeated requests starting February 8, Doctor sent a reply to the allegations on February 13, edited excerpts from which are carried here: "They have no proof of any agreement stating I would work three days a week for two hours each day. I had prepared an agreement that they promised to sign but never did.
"Furthermore, they never allocated a dedicated space for my practice, often giving preference to older doctors. Despite my greater contribution to the clinic, my patients were frequently asked to move to a makeshift setup at the back. Everything was fine when they were getting their dues and things went their way, but the moment I raised these issues with the BPP, they felt the need to justify their behavior.
"In what was supposed to be a medical center for the benefit of society, KCYATF exploited and mentally harassed both me and my assistant who is Muslim. He was prevented from entering certain areas.
"However, without warning, they introduced a new demand — Rs 350 per Khareghat Colony resident, which later increased to Rs 500. They claimed they would provide receipts for these payments, but despite my requests, they never did. I paid the fixed Rs 20,000 rent via cheque, but the additional payments were always in cash.
"It has been alleged that I stormed out of the clinic, threatening to have people removed and involving past BPP chairman Dinshaw Mehta. However, I hardly know Mehta and have only heard of him through the community. In fact, when KCYATF cornered me one day regarding the allegations I put against them, I contacted all the BPP trustees to inform them of the situation. I had no involvement in any issues between Mehta and Dastoor.”
Parsiana has sought clarification via WhatsApp from Viraf and Dinshaw to the allegations. Till the time of going to press no responses have been received despite reminders being sent.