By Sunil Sonker
Mussoorie, 18 Apr: Famous writer Bill Aitken of Mussoorie died in Dehradun on Tuesday night, after which his last rites were performed by his caretaker Kushal Singh Chauhan in Haridwar on Thursday as per Hindu rituals. A programme of worship was being organised by the caretaker and his family at his residence in Mussoorie. On Friday morning, however, some people barged into Bill Aitken’s house and occupied it.
As a result, there was commotion in the area and people gathered around the house. It is being said that some people reached there from Punjab and claimed that the house is property of a trust, and its representatives had come to take possession. The caretaker said that Bill Aitken’s pyre had not even cooled down, when the people who came from Punjab hurriedly took possession of the writer’s accommodation.
He claimed Bill Aitken had stated in a written document that his personal property be given to the caretaker. Along with cash, there are valuables including a bank passbook and valuable furniture in Bill Aitken’s room. He said that the occupiers were not even allowing the burning of the fire that was lit for the thirteenth day ritual of Bill Aitken. He and his family are being threatened with death, due to which he is very scared.
He claimed he had complained to the Mussoorie police about the matter, but no positive action has been taken. He also raised questions on the functioning of Mussoorie police and asked why action has not been taken against those who occupied Bill Atkin’s house without informing the police and the caretaker. He has demanded strict action by the Mussoorie police. If police do not take action in this matter soon, he would approach the court.
Pradeep Singh, who has come from the Maharani Prithvi Jind Memorial Trust, refused to talk to the media in any way. He said that he is taking advice from his lawyers regarding this matter.
Mussoorie Kotwal Santosh Kanwar said that both the parties have been called to the police station and action will be taken as per the rules.
