After a prolonged four-month battle, software engineer Sachin Kapure from Lok-Nisarg Society, Mulund West, finally got clamps removed from his car and bike after they were allegedly illegally seized by the housing society’s management committee. The action came only after the registrar of co-operative societies dismissed the committee for multiple irregularities and appointed an administrator, Satyawan Ghadigaonkar, to run the society.
Kapure’s ordeal began on July 6, when the society clamped his car and bike over a parking issue. Despite his repeated complaints to the Mulund police, no action was taken to release the seized vehicles. Frustrated with the inaction, Kapure ultimately broke the clamps himself and freed his vehicles this week after informing to the administrator.
Kapure said, “For months, I kept visiting the police station, but they never helped me. The society had no right to clamp my car or bike — only the traffic police are authorised to do that. My vehicles were damaged because they were held for so long. I am glad the registrar finally stepped in and dismissed the committee.”
Ghadigaonkar told mid-day, “We will discuss the clamping issue in the next meeting and form a new, lawful policy. The previous rule allowing vehicle clamping will be scrapped completely.”
mid-day had highlighted how Kapure’s car and bike were clamped in July while police failed to act, and the society had even issued him fines of Rs 31,000 for parking irregularities and Rs 6000 as a ‘jammer penalty’.
With the committee dissolved and the clamps finally removed, residents of the 220-flat Lok-Nisarg Society hope for a more transparent and lawful administration under the newly appointed administrator.
Kapure said, “Hopefully, neither of my vehicles is damaged. Though they were clamped, I used to start them using my keys. I am thankful to the administrator and registrar for their help. The police should register an FIR against those responsible for illegally clamping my vehicles.”
