Morning Mist' owner to sue women's commission chief

Mangalore, August 5: The proprietor of 'Morning Mist', Loretta R V?Rebello, is contemplating a defamation suit against State Women's Commission Chairperson C Manjula for the latter's remarks, during her visit to Mangalore on August 1 and 2. Speaking to Deccan Herald on Saturday, Rebello said the women's commission chairperson has defamed and tarnished her image by issuing statements to media giving the impression that immoral and illegal activities were taking place at the homestay.

“I belong to a traditional Catholic family and have been the president of the prestigious ladies club which fights for just causes,” she said and added that the mental agony and trauma she has been undergoing ever since the infamous attack on youth in her property, is beyond explanation.

Stating that the women's commission chief has defamed, harassed and victimised a woman belonging to a minority community with an intention to tarnish her image before the members of the public and media, Rebello said she may reconsider her decision only if the person concerned apologises in the same forum / platform which she used to defame / tarnish her image.

She also regretted that the women's commission chief, instead of protecting the women, has demanded a probe against the mother of one of the victims, who is no way linked to the incident, and deviated from the very purpose of the commission's visit.

Reiterating that her facility is not a 'homestay' as defined by the tourism department, she said that she has been promptly paying the taxes as applicable.

'Pre-planned'

Terming the attack “pre-planned” and “hidden agenda” of a few people, Rebello also alleged that Corporator Mohan Padil had demanded Rs 10,000 from her for “pooja,” but she had paid only a sum of Rs 6,000.

Though Padil was initially picked up by the police soon after the incident, he was released later. Referring to a government notification dated July 12, 2007, which states that any inspection of a homestay, if the authorities consider 'Morning Mist' as a homestay, by any government agency will have to be authorised by the district magistrate, Rebello said that none of the government agencies have complied with the notification.

Noting that several people including State women's commission chairperson have entered 'Morning Mist' without any authorisation from district magistrate, Rebello said she does not have any alternative, but to initiate legal action against government agencies for illegally trespassing into her property.