The fine art of making noises is something this man has mastered over two decades. His quest begins with being irritated at something that is not right. "I noticed that MHADA's (Maharastra Housing Area Development Authority) flats cost almost as much as those of private builders. Also, the material that they used was substandard. I wrote letters to various authorities. And when nothing worked I went to the Bombay High Court and my letter became an 86-page suo motu writ petition. Eventually, the court instructed mhada to make the required changes in its functioning." It's this mix of a street-smart attitude and vigilante zeal that makes Rebello a ruthless customer for the erring. Some time ago, he noticed that one of his neighbours, a bmc (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) official, was regularly bringing home "a bag full of something". Rebello was very curious at the care with which this official handled the bag and which suggested that he might not be bringing home the groceries. "I briefed the watchman about my plan. Next evening, when the bmc official came home, the watchman 'accidentally' bumped into him." The bag fell down, and out came a good lot of money. "I complained to the bmc and forced them to take action. This guy was obviously carrying his bribes home."
Sometimes, Rebello admits, he does become a touch difficult. Though not a lawyer, he can quite efficiently take up issues in the court. But, while he's at it in the courtroom, he simply refuses to call the judge 'my lord'. "One judge took offence. I told him that he is not my lord and I am not his slave. I think that addressing a judge as 'Sir' or 'Mr Justice' is enough respect." While Rebello has good enough reasons to be sceptical about the system, he admits that "if you have prima facie evidence against some case of corruption, there are officials who are willing to act." It was through these means that he once wrote a letter to a
principal judge and got a Zone 10 dcp transferred. "He was accepting bribes from beer bars. As a result, prostitution in that area increased. I sought his transfer through the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act," says this new-age crusader.
Rebello does get his reward - chiefly through threatening calls. "But I cannot stop being myself," he says in his defence. There's another illustrative story: a gas agency was forcing its customers to buy gas accessories as well. "The agent said that people will get the gas connection only if they buy the accessories from him. I used the mrtp and he was fined." There are many other such stories where Rebello has been the proverbial thorn in some comfortable lives. The man is soon releasing a book called Pen Power which he says is an encyclopaedia of the best letters to the editor ever written. Though he may proudly say that Time magazine has interviewed him, it's one instance where a little pride is not entirely misplaced. His address: Leo Rebello (leorebello@vsnl.com), Building 28, Flat 552, Sunrise Society, Samatanagar, Western Express Highway, Kandivili East, Mumbai 400101; phone: 8872741.
