Special Olympics Jharkhand (SOJ), after The Telegraph reported in its edition on Friday how special powerlifter Neha Rajak’s family was unable to pay their house rent and was facing eviction by the landlord, has come forward to help the family.

SOJ area director Bailey Bodhanwala has decided to give Rs 10,000 to the family to clear their rent for three months.

Bodhanwala, who is known for his philanthropic activities in the steel city, on Friday called SOJ assistant area director Satbir Singh Sahota to offer help to Neha’s family.

“I will assure that the money given by our area director reaches the family by Saturday,” Sahota said, adding that the action was taken after The Telegraph's report. “The rent for three months amounts to Rs 7,500 (Rs 2,500/month). Advance for a month can also be paid with the money.”

Neha’s father Vinod, who works at a laundry in Bistupur but is jobless because of the lockdown, said it would be a timely and much-needed help and they would remain indebted for it.

“We have been left helpless because of the lockdown and were unable to clear the rent and the family’s expenses. Clearing the rent dues will be a huge relief for us,” Vinod said on Friday.

The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) has also decided to help the family. It sent a volunteer to Neha’s house on Friday morning to inquire about the rent dues.

“We went through The Telegraph's report and decided to offer a helping hand to the family,” said DLSA secretary Nitish Neilesh Sanga. “I also spoke to the landlord’s wife and asked her to wait till the lockdown was lifted. We are also ready to clear the pending rent.”

Sanga said a landlord cannot forcefully evict a tenant during the lockdown. The DLSA has also promised to provide groceries to Neha's family in a day or two.