Poonam Dhillon alleges CINTAA members, staff denied entry to office amid ongoing dispute
CINTAA President Poonam Dhillon alleges CAWT blocked members and staff from entering the association's office amid a major ownership dispute.
In a dramatic turn of events, Cine & TV Artistes Association (CINTAA) president Poonam Dhillon has alleged that the association's staff and elected members were barred from entering their own office. The standoff, which occurred amid rising tensions with the Cine Artistes Welfare Trust (CAWT), saw security personnel stationed at the premises to prevent access.
Ownership Dispute and Financial Allegations
The controversy centers around the ownership of CINTAA Tower. According to Dhillon, the association recently received an email claiming that CAWT is the actual owner of the building. This claim has been met with shock by CINTAA leadership, as they maintain that the members themselves contributed significantly to the construction of the tower.
Dhillon highlighted a major financial involvement, stating that CINTAA had previously provided Rs 6 crore to CAWT to assist with a shortage of funds during the tower's construction. The original agreement, she noted, stipulated that the building would serve as a common office for both organizations and would facilitate welfare activities for CINTAA members.
"Who is CAWT to throw our staff out?"
Expressing her frustration over the sudden restrictions, Dhillon questioned the authority of CAWT to obstruct the association's operations. "Who is CAWT to throw our staff out of their jobs? They are not your employees; they are employees of CINTAA. How can you stop them?" the actor questioned during the standoff.
The situation on the ground was described as chaotic, with visuals showing members and staff engaged in heated arguments. CINTAA members Deepak Qazir Kejriwal and Abhay Bhargav also voiced their concerns, noting that they had received notices prohibiting members from entering the tower, despite no court order being in place to enforce such a restriction.
Internal Turmoil and Legal Battles
This latest incident is the latest in a series of internal conflicts within CINTAA. The association has recently faced significant instability, including:
- Mass Resignations: Eleven members resigned last month, citing concerns over decision-making processes within the executive committee.
- Election Challenges: The recent election process was challenged in court, though the court allowed the polls to proceed on September 12, subject to ongoing legal proceedings.
While Poonam Dhillon and Padmini Kolhapure have rejected certain allegations regarding the functioning of the committee, the tension between CINTAA and CAWT continues to escalate, leaving the future of the association's headquarters and its staff in uncertainty.