Leela watchman battles for life
MID-DAY (OCT 2001)
By Skimmy Gupta
Rajendra Vithalrao Mahahale (30), a resident of room no 14, Gupta Chawl, Powai, set himself ablaze inside the premises of Hotel Leela, Andheri (E), on Friday at 8.30 pm.
At present, Mahahale is struggling for his life at Cooper Hospital, Juhu. He has suffered 100 per cent burns and is in an extremely critical condition, according to doctors. On his bedside table, lies his partially burnt wallet containing some Hotel Leela lunch coupons, his old muster card, his telephone dairy, some documents and a passport size photograph.
Mahahale was working as a watchman with the Hotel Leela since the past seven years. He was employed by GS Enterprise, who had a contract of providing security to the hotel. Mahahale was supposedly fired without prior notice and he blamed the hotel's security officials for leaving him jobless.
Rajendra's elder brother Lakshman Mahahale (35), a plumber at Sahar Airport, said that he received a call from Rajendra at 2 pm yesterday. "He told me that the security manager of the hotel, P Balsare had threatened to kill him. After some time when he came to meet me he seemed tense. At 4.45 pm he had lunch at home and rested for a while. At 7 pm he left home in the clothes he was wearing and told us that he would be going to Bangalore. At 10.30 pm we got a call from the police informing us that Rajendra had tried to immolate himself.
"Already a labour court case was going on and few months back an order was also passed to reinstate him to his old job at the hotel. But he was refused the job. For the past two months he was trying to convince the hotel authorities that he badly needed the job," said Lakshman.
The security manager P Balsare was unavailable for comment. This correspondent was repeatedly informed that he was out on rounds.
Senior Police Inspector of the Sahar police station, Mohan Mane, said, "The enquiry is on. We will also do some investigation on the pending court case."
Meanwhile, The Leela has issued a press note stating that Rajendra Mahahale is not an employee of The Leela. The release states that Rajendra is a part of the labour force of GS Enterprises - a registered contractor under the Contract Labour Act and with whom The Leela has a contract for supplying labour force as and when required. Mahahale was contracted for the purpose of taking care of gardens and security.
The press release further said that since Rajendra is not an employee of The Leela, there is no question of him being sacked by the hotel for any purpose.
MID-DAY (OCT 2001)
By Skimmy Gupta
Rajendra Vithalrao Mahahale (30), a resident of room no 14, Gupta Chawl, Powai, set himself ablaze inside the premises of Hotel Leela, Andheri (E), on Friday at 8.30 pm.
At present, Mahahale is struggling for his life at Cooper Hospital, Juhu. He has suffered 100 per cent burns and is in an extremely critical condition, according to doctors. On his bedside table, lies his partially burnt wallet containing some Hotel Leela lunch coupons, his old muster card, his telephone dairy, some documents and a passport size photograph.
Mahahale was working as a watchman with the Hotel Leela since the past seven years. He was employed by GS Enterprise, who had a contract of providing security to the hotel. Mahahale was supposedly fired without prior notice and he blamed the hotel's security officials for leaving him jobless.
Rajendra's elder brother Lakshman Mahahale (35), a plumber at Sahar Airport, said that he received a call from Rajendra at 2 pm yesterday. "He told me that the security manager of the hotel, P Balsare had threatened to kill him. After some time when he came to meet me he seemed tense. At 4.45 pm he had lunch at home and rested for a while. At 7 pm he left home in the clothes he was wearing and told us that he would be going to Bangalore. At 10.30 pm we got a call from the police informing us that Rajendra had tried to immolate himself.
"Already a labour court case was going on and few months back an order was also passed to reinstate him to his old job at the hotel. But he was refused the job. For the past two months he was trying to convince the hotel authorities that he badly needed the job," said Lakshman.
The security manager P Balsare was unavailable for comment. This correspondent was repeatedly informed that he was out on rounds.
Senior Police Inspector of the Sahar police station, Mohan Mane, said, "The enquiry is on. We will also do some investigation on the pending court case."
Meanwhile, The Leela has issued a press note stating that Rajendra Mahahale is not an employee of The Leela. The release states that Rajendra is a part of the labour force of GS Enterprises - a registered contractor under the Contract Labour Act and with whom The Leela has a contract for supplying labour force as and when required. Mahahale was contracted for the purpose of taking care of gardens and security.
The press release further said that since Rajendra is not an employee of The Leela, there is no question of him being sacked by the hotel for any purpose.
Labels: City
posted by Skimmy @ January 12, 2009
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