Tantrum ke side effects: a new flat?

Habitual troublemaker wins MHADA boss's sympathy after trying to hang herself, may bag flat despite losing lottery

THROWING a fit can work wonders sometimes. Sapna Pereira, a habitual troublemaker, is living proof of that.



The 37-year-old tried to hang herself from her handbag strap at a pandal packed with thousands of home-seekers who had come for the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) lottery yesterday. She was whisked away from the venue Rangsharda hall in Bandra (W) but not before she had made a huge impression on Amarjeet Singh Manhas, chairperson, MHADA, Mumbai board.

Manhas assured her that he will recommend her name to the chief minister for the flat that the lottery could not get her. He also invited her to his office with the application papers.

Pereira's illustrious track record in tantrums so far includes running on the Wankhede Stadium with a flag in September 2007 (See pic left, when the winning Indian T20 team was being felicitated) and being caught by the police several times for allegedly accosting strangers and later blackmailing them with molestation charges to extort money.

The list goes on.

We are putting out this story with much trepidation, as Pereira has thrown huge fits at media offices, including MiD DAY, after reports of her antics appeared. Incidentally, she has a visually challenged, 12-year-old daughter.

Lottery nahin lagi

This time around, Pereira had applied for a flat in Dahisar under the Economically Weaker Section, but the lottery did not throw up her name. Annoyed, she started yelling in the hall and then at the pandal outside, calling the lottery rigged.

She then tried strangulating herself with the strap of her handbag. Alarmed watchers stopped her. But Pereira didn't stop there. When she saw Manhas at the pandal, she ran towards him and poured her heart out. "I'll recommend her name to the CM for a flat. She is poor and depressed and has to look after a visually-challenged child," he said.

About 4.27 lakh people have lined up for these flats. Tuesday's tantrum may just land her at the head of the queue.

Lost and found

I am disappointed. I had applied for seven flats, but was not allotted any. I hope I'm lucky next year.
Shreya Jadhav, architect



I am thankful to MHADA and God. Even after 25 years in the film industry, I could never buy my own house. Finally, I will be able to live in my own home. This is the happiest day of my life.
Ali Khan, struggling star

I have been trying for a flat since the past few years. Last time, my name was in the waiting list, but nothing worked out. I don't have any hope left, as I feel the system is rigged.
H B Patel, retired railway official

Luck didn't favour me. I don't think I will get a MHADA flat. The rest of the flats are so costly that I can't afford them.
Sumedh Sawant, media professional