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No power, telephone at Behl's bungalow By: Vinod Kumar Menon and Iqbal Ansari August 25, 2004 The bungalow built by Nutan and Rajneesh Behl on Parsik Hill in Mumbra, resembles a haunted house today.
The large rusted lock on the main gate, the dense, overgrown bushes along the narrow lane to the bungalow speak of the sad neglect of the once opulent weekend getaway.
However, belying the impression of being devoid of human habitation, a voice from the bushes stops us short as we approach the gate.
Ithun tumhi za, ithe yenyachi manahi aahe, (Go away, entry to this place is restricted), shouts a watchman, as two dogs run towards us, barking. They calm down after we show no signs of fleeing.
Suddenly four more men emerge from the undergrowth, ordering us to leave the place immediately. Nevertheless, on the pretext of having a glass of water, we manage some extra time.
Eventually one of the men introduces himself as Vilas More, a full-time gardener-cum-watchman, who has been working at the bungalow since the last decade.
Initially reluctant to say anything, More gradually relaxes enough for us to shoot our questions. When did Rajneesh Behl last come here? The last time saab came was about two months ago, he says.
And how did you learn about his death? I went to the market the next (August 4) morning, when I saw the news on television. We did not eat for two days after that. Saab was strict, but very kind-hearted, he adds.
The telephone here has not been working for months. Also, electric supply to the house has been disconnected. We use oil lamps during the night, he informs us.
These days we just do some gardening and keep the surroundings clean. But we have no access inside the bungalow. Saab used to enjoy gardening, but wasnt fond of pets. We have kept these two dogs here to frighten off trespassers, says More.
Irritated with our questioning, one of the other men, Santosh, shouts, Ithe amhi tension madhe ahot, tumhi za ithoon, (We are already worried as it is, please go away) and forbids More from speaking to us.
According to gatekeeper Tej Bahadur Thapa of Krishna Devrekar, another bungalow in the area, the Behl property was spread over 10 acres and is estimated to be worth over Rs 15 crore.
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