Now, sheetal mafatlal accused of domestic violence

MUMBAI: Madhuri Mafatlal-78-year-old, frail and hurt by "baseless accusations" hurled at her by her daughter-in-law-is fighting back.

In a twist to the Mafatlal family sagaand a rare plea by a woman against her daughter-in-law, the Mafatlal matriarch approached a magistrate's court on Tuesday seeking protection from son Atulya's estranged wife, Sheetal, under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act.

She has sought to restrain Sheetal from entering the 10,000 sq-ft second floor of the Mafatlal Bungalowwhere the family has been residing since the days when theirs was one of top two industrial houses in the city. She is also seeking orders to prevent Sheetal from alienating any of her assets, committing acts of domestic violence against her family and communicating with her.

This is not the first time. In 2005 too, Madhuri said she was "forced to move court" when she went to the high court against the "security guards posted by Sheetal" outside her door saying it was "harassment and gross violation of privacy". That case was against, both Atulya and Sheetal, though to restrain them from dispossessing her (Madhuri) from the bungalow.

Now, Sheetal has accused Madhuri-who can no longer walk over a dozen steps at a time and requires six hours of oxygen support due to her lung fibrosis-of "physically beating and torturing" her. Expressing fears of her safety in her own home, the Mafatlal matriarch has asked the Girgaum magistrate to restrain Sheetal, her servants and relatives from entering the house, a tenanted property. The application said "Sheetal intentionally filed a false complaint of cruelty against her and her family for which she had sought anticipatory bail. She said she felt insecure in her own house and based on the events till date, "apprehended that Sheetal would resort to any and every drastic measure to unlawfully and forcibly disturb her possession and may also injure her". Sheetal would also be asked to sign a bond, saying she would not commit any act of domestic violence.

A magistrate on Tuesday ordered a protection officer to file a report, issued notice to Sheetal and placed her application for interim reliefs for arguments on September 8, after hearing Madhuri's advocate Sayaji Nangre.

Madhuri's application states Sheetal has been staying in the Altamont Road bungalow since February 2000 when she married Atulya. Madhuri says she has been residing there since February 1948 after her marriage to Yogindra, Atulya's father.

The bungalow where Madhuri has been staying since her marriage to Yogindra Mafatlal in 1948, was bought in 1935. In 1938, a new structure was built and occupied by Navinchandra and Bhagubhai Mafatlal, who held It belonged to Navinchandra and Bhagubhai Mafatlal in equal shares. In 1944, after Badhubhai's death, his share was devolved to his widow and son, Shardaben and Hemantand the property was occupied by both families. In 1954, Navinchandra retained a part of his share and sold three parts to his sons Arvind, Yogindra (Madhuri's husband) and Rasesh. At the end of the year, the bungalow remained as one-eighth share of Navinchandra, Arvind, Yogindra, Rasesh and one-forth of Shardaben and Hemant.

In 1955, Navinchandra died and the entire property was sold to family concern Gagalbhai Jute Mills Pvt Ltd to which a rent of Rs 1,000 per month was paid. The jute mill was amalgamated with Mafatlal Gagalbhai Co in 1968 and all residents became tenants. Two years on, the property was sold to Surat Cottons Spinning & Weaving Mills Pvt Ltd. now known as Shanudeep Pvt Ltd.

After Yogindra's death, Madhuri said she became the lawful tenant of the 10,000 sq ft second floor. She said Sheetal stayed in the family flat in London at Rutland Garden but before leaving it, she allegedly "vandalized the flat and threw away clothes of Yogindra Mafatlal and called their daughter Kunti a 'rag-picker' when she went to collect it". Despite the 2005 HC order, Madhrui said, Sheetal continued to harass her.and last month stole almost 40 valuable paintings of renowned artists worth Rs 50-60 crore and family jewellery but the Gamdevi police did not initially take action till court ordered it to.

On July 13, a day after the police complaint was lodged, Madhuri said Sheetal wrote an email to Atulya, who is ailing in London, saying she kept the valuables in safe custody. According to Madhuri's plea, Sheetal, through Atulya, filed a complaint against her other "son Ajay for intimidation", which the HC quashed.

Interim order against arrest for Atulya's daughter: The Mumbai sessions court on Tuesday continued an interim order of anticipatory bail for Atulya Mafatlal's teenaged daughter Marushka (from his first wife Payal) against a complaint of cruelty filed by his second and estranged wife, Sheetal. After hearing advocate Sayaji Nangre, the judge asked on what basis was Sheetal's complaint filed under Section 498-A of the IPC. Sheetal had lodged three complaints after Marushka filed one against her, accusing her of removing valuable paintings from their house on July 13, 2011. The police said the complaint was converted into an FIR on August 17. The court directed the police to file its additional reply to Marushka's plea against arrest. Sheetal has to be present for the next hearing on September 9.

Drama Unfolds:

July 13: Marushka Mafatlal lodges a complaint with the Gamdevi police against her step-mother Sheetal, accusing her of removing paintings worth over Rs 50 crore from home without informing anyone. Police do not take action

July 21, 28: Marushka lodges further complaints against Sheetal. Still no police action

Aug 1: Marushka moves magistrate's court to seek police probe

Aug 10: Magistrate orders the Gamdevi police to register theft case against Sheetal

Aug 17: The police register FIR against Sheetal

Aug 17: The police record Sheetal's complaint of cruelty by husband and in-laws

Aug11: Madhuri and Ajay Mafatlal seek anticipatory bail

Aug 12: Court grants anticipatory bail to them

Aug 25: Marushka gets interim order against arrest. Matter pending

Aug 30: Madhuri moves Girgaum magistrate court with a complaint of domestic violence against Sheetal