Mohit Dalvi, who will be felicitated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for saving a girl from drowning at Banganga in 2014, lives with his family in an allegedly illegal structure along the lake
On April 25, 2014, 16-year-old Mohit Dalvi, then 14, jumped into the Banganga waters to save a nine-year-old girl feared to have drowned.
Malabr Hill police station's officer Rajendra Kale with Mohit Dalvi in 2014. Pic/Bipin Kokate
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Today, at the Rastrapati Bhavan in Delhi, he will be felicitated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the feat under the National Bravery Awards programme, which recognises children who distinguish themselves by performing outstanding acts of bravery.
Mohit Dalvi’s house (right on top of steps) is right across from where the victim fell into the lake. Pics/Onkar Devlekar
But when he returns home with family on Tuesday, they will have to deal with a show-cause notice. On Saturday, BMC’s D ward issued the Dalvis a notice to vacate their home along the steps of the holy Walkeshwar talk, along with 15 others. The BMC alleges that the 8 ft x 7 ft room where he lives with his brother and guardian, aunt Dimple, is an illegal structure.
Dimple, 47, who says she has been living here for decades, decided to take care of Mohit and his elder brother Rupesh after their parents died five years ago.
The three who are currently in Delhi for the felicitation were informed by their neighbours of the notice. “Since we are out of the city, we are unaware about the issue. We will discuss it with the authorities once we return. Our neighbours, too, have been served similar notices,” said Dimple over the phone.
Devidas Kshirsagar, D ward officer, said, “I don’t have the details on me since it is a weekend. I can comment on the case on Monday.”
Assistant engineer of the building and factory department, S Kanojia, offered this reporter the same response.
In a front-page story dated April 2014, mid-day had reported that Dalvi had dived 25 feet under water to haul Krishna Pashte, 9, out of a ditch at the bottom of the tank. She had slipped while playing near the steps of the tank.
Mohit emerged winner of the award from among three young boys and girls picked from Maharashtra for the award.
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