Tussle over name change of 184-year-old Byculla church

Worshippers at a 184-year-old Byculla church filed a non-cognisable complaint (NC) at Nagpada police station on Sunday, accusing fellow members of changing the name of the church without consulting them.

Members of Hume Memorial Congregation Victoria Garden Church found the name of the church mentioned as Karnatak Church on the electricity bill.

According to the complaint, a copy of which is with HT, three church members have been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.

“It was an effort by these people to usurp our church property by showing that the church belongs to them, which is why they made the payment of property tax through their account. They submitted false affidavits and papers and got the name of the church changed to Karnatak church at BEST [Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport],” said Raju Waghmare, former church committee member.

“It is a clear case of forgery... we want an FIR to be registered, and not just NC,” said Cyril Dara, a church activist.