Pune Elderly Couple’s Hunger Strike Forces Tenant to Vacate, Receives Community Support

Bibwewadi, 4th March 2024: An elderly couple in Pune’s Bibwewadi area took a Gandhian approach to protest against a tenant who had occupied their house, causing them financial distress. Dr Avinash Phatak, 73, and Madhuri Phatak, 68, sat on a hunger strike in front of their own house, demanding the return of their property. Their peaceful protest gained support from 8-10 other elderly citizens who joined them in fasting, and MNS leader Vasant More also backed their cause.

After enduring the hunger strike and garnering support, the tenant eventually agreed to vacate the house. Dr Avinash Phatak and Madhuri Phatak regained possession of their home after a month and a half. Today, the couple performed a Satyanarayan Puja at their residence, finally able to rest in their rightful home.

Kidzee’s School Lease Dispute

The Phatak couple had leased out a bungalow named ‘Saraswati’ in Sadanand Society on Sitaram Abaji Bibwe Path to run a nursery school named ‘Kidzee’ on a five-year lease. The contractual agreement was set to conclude at the end of the current year. The registered tenancy agreement stipulated that if the rent remained unpaid for three consecutive months, the premises had to be vacated.

However, despite this clause, the tenants failed to pay rent for the past three and a half years. Instead of using the property for the agreed-upon purpose, the tenants engaged in unauthorized business activities. The Phatak couple, facing avoidance of calls and attempts to meet the tenants, resorted to legal action, approaching the court to address the matter.