On June 17, 2021, Khushrow Boyce (61), a Colaba resident and TV mechanic, was on a professional visit to a bungalow on Dadyseth Hill. He was riding on his scooter on a private road adjoining which is the Grand Paradi with three tower and row houses. Boyce was wearing a helmet. He did not see any warning sign from the society about repairs in progress. When Boyce reached the portion of road near the podium, a huge concrete slab fell from it. Although he swerved to the right to save himself, the concrete debris severely injured him and substantially damaged his scooter.
He was pulled out of the debris and taken to Breach Candy Hospital. He had 9 rib fractures and three on his hand. His forearm was severely injured with the flesh and bone exposed. He was immediately operated on his wrist.
The society only gave Rs 1 lakh toward security deposit for treatment which was to be returned after Boyce’s insurance claim was settled. Despite all efforts, his FIR was not registered. After he moved HC to direct Malabar Hill police to act, an FIR was registered on August 4, 2021, against the contractor. Thereafter, Boyce amended his petition praying to add the managing committee members as accused in the FIR and for a probe by an independent investigation agency.
On March 14, HC was told there is a possibility of an amicable settlement between the parties. On July 16, Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Gauri Godse were informed by Grand Paradi’s advocate Nikhil Sakhardande that a resolution was passed at a special general body meeting in June to pay Boyce Rs 17 lakh “on a clear understanding that he will not make any further or other claim” against the society, its office bearers/members and he shall drop them as parties in the petition. He said the amount would be transferred to Boyce within 2 weeks. The judges disposed of the petition after advocates Abhinav Chandrachud and Ismail Shaikh said that in view of the settlement, nothing survives in Boyce’s police complaint as well as in the petition.
