13 June,2009 07:42 AM IST | | Vinod Kumar Menon
City's first kidney donor has been living in a police station for the past month, after his family allegedly duped him and sold their family home. Vinod Kumar Menon reports
At an age where one would want to lead a peaceful life in the company of loved ones, senior citizen Jaswantlal Sarvaiya has found an unlikely home for the past one month the Pantnagar police station at Ghatkopar.
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Yesterday, Sarvaiya, who, in 1976, became the first kidney donor in Mumbai (see box), celebrated his 68th birthday at the police station in a pair of white shirt and trousers, no money, moist eyes and a face with worry written all over it.
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But that hasn't stopped Sarvaiya from living for others. "After I die, I want to donate my eyes and organs to the needy.
My body should to be sent to a medical college, so that the students can use it for their study," said Sarvaiya
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Tragic story
Despite a stable background, Sarvaiya, a bachelor, finds himself in an impoverished state because of his family.
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He alleges that his brother Deepak Sarvaiya (59) in connivance with landlord Jyotindra Khokani sold their family home Amrut Bhuvan, Kokhani Lane, Ghatkopar (E) for a handsome price and forcibly evicted him from the house.
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In his letter to the police commissioner, (a copy of which is with MiD DAY), Sarvaiya claims that he had purchased the house in the name of his late mother Shantaben for Rs 3,500 in 1958.
He says he is being deprived of his share in the property.
Police complaint
On June 8, Sarvaiya lodged a police complaint against Deepak and nephew Kunal (27) for theft.
He accused them of stealing Rs 45,000 that he received as donation for his treatment from some good Samaritans. Sarvaiya suffers from heart, kidney and other ailments.He is being treated at Jaslok Hospital.
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The police arrested Deepak and Kunal on Thursday evening under section 380 (theft) of the Indian Penal Code.
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The Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Vikhroli remanded them to custody till June 15.
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However, the duo rubbishes the allegations. "Sarvaiya has framed us. We have not stolen his money.
I have the consent of the other siblings to sell the property in my mother's name," explained Deepak.
Investigating officer P Kamble said, "The investigations are on."
First voluntary kidney donation
In 1976, Sarvaiya voluntarily donated his kidney to Usha Shah (21) after reading an advertisement in a local newspaper.
Dr Vidya Acharya, general secretary of the National Kidney Foundation of India, said, "Jaswant is the first voluntary kidney donor in the city. Jaslok Hospital conducted the transplant in 1976."
Usha hailed from Saurashtra, Gujarat. Her father was willing to pay Rs 50,000 to the donor, but Sarvaiya refused the money.
