Shah

Mahesh

Mangal Jyot Complex

Jodhpur

Shivranjani Crossroads

Vanita

Benson

Rado

‘WAIT FOR PAPPA’

Son Monitesh

Monitesh

Jodhpur Crossroad

Vanita Shah

Mangaljyot Apartment

Tehmul Sethna

Maheshis a man of great contradictions. For someone who had voluntarily declared a whopping Rs 13,860 crore as illicit wealth to the Income-Tax authorities,Shah had not paid his milkman for the past two months. The 67-year-old always wore branded clothes, sported an expensive luxury watch and constantly smoked high-end cigarettes, but he would fight with autowallahs for even a rupee. Shah, who runs an import-export business with offices in India (Ahmedabad and Mumbai), US, UK and the Middle East, lives at the multi-storeyedatCrossroads.The 67-year-old frequently travelled to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore for business. “He would usually take a flight to these places but he would haggle with the autowallahs over the fare. He knew that a one-way trip cost around Rs 250. If a rickshawallah quoted a higher price, he would walk 200 metre from Jodhpur Crossroads down to, with his travel bag, to catch another auto to save Rs 50,” said a close friend.“We have seen him arguing with rickshawallahs outside the society. They would not have change, and plead with Shah to let go off a rupee or two. ‘Kem java daun? (Why should I do that?)’ was his usual response. He would force the autowallah to cough up the change,” recollected a neighbour. As per neighbours, the family had initially rented the 3BHK flat in the 10-storey building. Shah, however, had later bought the 250 square yard flat that has a current market value of more than Rs 70 to Rs 80 lakh. According to neighbours, Shah wasn’t around most of the time due to his travels but he had been a frequent visitor since his wife was diagnosed with cancer.“We never discussed his salary or his business in detail but it was likely he was earning a good amount. The family didn’t interact much with others. His wifehad been diagnosed with brain cancer and was bedridden. Other than mentioning his business dealings of crores, he would often claim to be on good terms with politicians, businessmen and other affluent people,” said a neighbour.Sources said Shah was fond of the finer things in life as was evident in the accessories and jewellery he wore. “He carried two mobile phones along with a pack ofand Hedges cigarettes in one hand and wore an expensivewatch in the other. A strong believer in astrology, he also wore a diamond bracelet and several rings with semi-precious stones,” a friend said.The 67-year-old suffered a paralysis attack a few years ago and had also undergone a surgery to place a stent in his heart, but he did not cut down on his pleasures. “Whenever he was home he would get a cheese grilled sandwich from a neighbourhood shop without fail. However, unlike most Gujaratis who are quite generous when it comes to sharing food and treating others, he never took his friends out to a restaurant or eatery. He was a chain smoker. Mahesh always had a cigarette in his hand but he would never offer his friends a puff. He was quite tight-fisted when it came to spending on others,” said his friend.Though Mahesh owed Rs 4,500 crores in taxes, he told his milkman and subziwallah that he was running short of cash. He has not paid Rs 8,000 dues to the milkman and Rs 5,800 to his vegetable vendor. But most people were sympathetic to him considering his wife’s frail condition. “The family moved here about 10 years ago. He faced several ups and downs in his life but has never cheated anyone. He owes people money but we know he will pay up,” said a shopkeeper in the neighbourhood. Mahesh had also reportedly removed his cable TV connection about six months ago for DTH services to save around Rs 1,500 a year.Absconding businessman Mahesh Shah’s sonhas alleged that Shah senior has not visited theirresidence for almost a month now. City-based property dealer Mahesh Shah, who disclosed Rs 13,860 crore of unaccounted income under the Income Declaration Scheme (IDS), shares the accommodation with his unemployed son and bedridden wife, a cancer patient. On Friday, Monitesh, in his 30s, was seen returning to the family residence aton Jodhpur Crossroad at 5pm until which time, the house had remained shut to outsiders.A maid, identified as Bharti Thakor, remained home with Vanita who has been diagnosed with brain cancer. “I have no idea about pappa’s dealings and the income disclosure. I learned about the Rs 13, 860 crore announcement from media reports. In fact, we haven’t met for nearly 10 days now and pappa hasn’t been home for the last one month,” said Monitesh.The 35-year-old said this was not unusual as “he travels frequently between Mumbai and Ahmedabad.” Monitesh also claimed ignorance about Mahesh’s political connections but said he had met Shah’s CAat his own engagement. “I don’t know much about him either,” he said, adding, “Pappa is not absconding. He will return soon and with facts.”