Tourist caught in resort trap

Cecilia Rosso, an American lady aged 55, has had enough to rue over the day she met Balakrishna Bhatt for the first time in 2001. What began as a mere friendship between an auto driver and a foreign lady in Kochi later bloomed into a stronger relationship. However, things have now taken an ugly turn.

Cecilia has filed a case against Bhatt for domestic violence, fraud and cheating. The reason dates back to 2003, when Cecilia wanted to buy a property in Varkala. Being a foreigner, she could not have owned it. Bhatt suggested buying the property in his name. ``I paid him about Rs 25 lakh in instalments. I have the receipts to prove it,’’ says Cecilia.

She also showed an email sent by Bhatt which said that she was the proud owner of the property.

Cecilia, an IT consultant in the USA, even quit her job in 2004 and came to live with Bhatt in Varkala. They also entered into a lease agreement by which Bhatt agreed to vacate the property when Cecilia asked him to do so. Cecilia said that she never intervened in the affairs of Asthamaya resort that was built on the property. She also alleged that Bhatt always squeezed huge amounts out of her on the pretext of maintenance.

The relationship turned sour in 2009 when Cecilia quizzed Bhatt about his financial dealings. ``He was a totally different man then. He abused me before the guests and later pushed me out of the house,’’ says Cecilia.

When Cecilia filed a complaint with the Varkala police station, Bhatt managed to get an anticipatory bail and continued to tease her. He also brought his parents from Mattancherry to live in the house at Varkala. ``My passport, clothes and jewels are in that house. They are not letting me in,’’ says Cecilia.

However, Bhatt denies all the allegations. He says the documents were fabricated and that he never had a man-woman relationship with Cecilia. ``She owes me a lot of money. She had stayed at my resort as a tourist without paying the rent. If she has sent me money, I deserve it,’’ he says.

He also says that he had often caught Cecilia indulging in immoral activities in the house. ``I always warned her. But she never heeded. I was forced to ask her to leave,’’ he says.

Bhatt also says that he had bought the property in Varkala for Rs 5 lakh. ``It is my property and resort.’’

On how an auto driver could earn so much money, he replies, ``I am also a priest. I do all sorts of jobs. It is not your business to query about the source of my income.’’  Ajayakumar, the advocate of Cecilia, reiterates that Cecilia is the legitimate owner of the resort and property. ``The lease agreement of  October 2003 proves it. It has got Bhatt’s signature as well.’’

He says that Bhatt has also cheated one Srinivasan, based in the USA, of Rs 20 lakh in connection with a land deal.

Cecilia now faces a deportation order asking her to leave the country within 15 days. The order is based on the charge that her tourist visa has expired and that she indulged in business with a tourist visa which is illegal.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has intervened in the issue and has asked the DGP to look into the matter. ``I have been assured of police protection by the Minister. Hopefully, law would also be kind to me,’’ says Cecilia.

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