Click to play videoNew Delhi: Lotika Sarkar's case is a tragic indictment of the plight of senior citizens in India. A woman who was instrumental in blazing a new trail in women's rights now seems to have no rights even to her own home.
"I can never give away my house to anyone. That's my only survival," says Lotika about her house which has reportedly been gifted by her to an Indian Police Service officer.
India's first woman to graduate from Cambridge and a champion of women's rights, Lotika Sarkar is today without a roof over her head.
The former head of the Delhi University Law faculty is a victim of a legal wrangle over her Rs 5 crore property in the capital.
It doesn't get more ironic than this.
"What would I do if it is taken away from me. Anyone who says that is talking rubbish," she says.
The 86-year-old lady reportedly willed her house to Nirmal Dhoundial, an IPS officer form the Bihar cadre, in July 2006.
Dhoundial later registered the house in his wife's name. The Dhoundials say they have been close to the Lotika and her late husband, renowed journalist Chanchal Sarkar for over 30 years.
"Her relatives used to come and take her out. She would come back home very confused about what people want. And after one visit she said that they are after the property. Then she said that Nirmal, now you should get the property transferred," claims Dhoundial.
Nirmal Dhoundial also produces a recorded conversation to affirm his closeness to her.
"Don't let Nirmal go. Whatever he'll say I'll do. Nirmal is close to me. Nirmal you don't leave now," Lokita says in the recorded conversation.
But the octogenarian tells another story.
In a letter to the Delhi police, the elderly lady has accused the Dhoundials of taking advantage of her weakened condition and has asked them to put the house back in her name so that she can return home.
"I don't know how they transferred the property from my name to theirs. I never said I will give my property to Nirmal or anyone. They aren't my family," says Lotika.
Dhoundiyal is willing to give in but with a condition.
"Let her come back. If she says return property, I will do that. I am not here for property," says Nirmal Dhoundial.
As the legal battles rages on, Lotika has temporarily moved to her cousin sister's house.
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