Simi Garewal calls living out of suitcases a horrible experience!

Simi Garewal has been living in the same apartment from the time she first moved to Mumbai. In September 2008, she vacated the place for urgent repairs.

The actress-turned TV host rues, "My designer is Kiran Patki (of Space Consultants) and the contractor was Jaffer Chejara, who gave me in writing that the work would be completed within 60 days. I shifted into a hotel on Sept 15." The wait has been never-ending. Simi talks about her problems...

When did the problem start?
Within three weeks of the work commencing I found that none of the designs were being executed according to the blue-prints given. Although Jaffer had charged the highest rates, he had employed apprentices for the job. None of his carpenters were able to read so the designs were never consulted. The furniture was not as per design specifications. The materials used were substandard. My meter was running at the hotel, the work had already exceeded 60 days.u00a0

What did you do?
In November, Jaffer said he'd get the wrongly made items replaced or corrected within a few days and needed the money. He insisted on cash. Believing his intentions we paid up. The next day, his men came and took away all the movable furniture they had made over the last three months. They were never returned. Despite repeated requests to finish my room Jaffer did not comply. He wanted us to pay twice foru00a0 wrongly made furniture. It was sheer extortion. His billing methods were totally unprofessional.u00a0

Could your designer not intervene?
Mrs Patki did a thorough professional evaluation of all the work carried out by Chejara and certified that we have overpaid and in fact, Jaffer owes us monies. Her company also certified that the electrical wiring done by him was 'seriously hazardous'.

Why didn't you go to the police or start legal proceedings against him?
We lodged a complaint with the Malabar Hill police station that we were being threatened and harassed by him and his workers. In January, his workers started ringing us at all hours drunk, and saying that Jaffer hadn't paid any of them. His harassment continued.

Have you shifted back?
I have just hired a new electrician to re-wire my room and a new contractor to redo the job before the rains. Eight months later I am still living out of suitcases and cartons. It's been a horrible experience.