The Kalyani family, known for its industrial prominence, is now embroiled in a heated legal battle over their late mother’s will. Baba Kalyani, Chairman of Bharat Forge Group, and his brother Gaurishankar are at odds over property division. The fight intensified after Gaurishankar presented a new will dated December 17, 2022, in court, which he claims grants him certain properties that were gifted to him by their mother, Sulochana Kalyani.
The Dispute Over Wills
The property dispute between Baba Kalyani (75) and Gaurishankar Kalyani (69) centers around two different versions of their mother’s will. Baba Kalyani has moved the Pune Civil Court to validate his mother’s will dated January 27, 2012. In response, Gaurishankar has filed an affidavit referring to a more recent will dated December 17, 2022, which he claims outlines his inheritance rights.
This legal feud has added a new twist to an already complicated battle over the Kalyani family’s vast wealth.
Baba Kalyani’s Response
Baba Kalyani, through his spokesperson, has denied all the allegations made by his brother. The spokesperson stated, “The probate case for the January 27, 2012 will is currently under review in the Pune Civil Court. All allegations made by Gaurishankar are false.” The spokesperson further added that Baba Kalyani intends to present his case properly before the district court.
Legal Battle with Niece and Nephew
In addition to the dispute between Baba and Gaurishankar, there is an ongoing legal conflict involving the children of their late sister, Sugandha Hiremutt. Sugandha’s children have filed a petition seeking a one-ninth share of the family property under Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) rules. Both Baba and Gaurishankar have opposed this claim, arguing that their niece and nephew have no legal rights over the property according to the wills in question.
Sulochana Kalyani’s Assets
Sulochana Kalyani, who passed away in February 2023 at the age of 89, left behind an estimated ₹70,000 crore in assets, including real estate in Maharashtra, her residence ‘Parvati Nivas’ in Pune, shares in Bharat Forge and Kalyani Forge, valuable jewelry, and fixed deposits.
Allegations in the Affidavit
In his recent affidavit, Gaurishankar has accused Baba Kalyani of taking control of a large portion of the family’s wealth, which was originally acquired by their father, Neelkanth Annappa Kalyani. According to the affidavit, Sulochana Kalyani had stated, “After 1994, my husband and I were left with only a small portion of the wealth accumulated by him.”
Sulochana also alleged that Baba Kalyani had pressured her into filing lawsuits against Gaurishankar. She claimed that Baba used her power of attorney to file several court cases on her behalf.
In her affidavit, Sulochana expressed her desire to withdraw all legal proceedings initiated against Gaurishankar, stating, “I do not wish to control any property. I only want to live a peaceful and comfortable life.”
Background of the Kalyani Group
The Kalyani Group was founded by Neelkanth Kalyani on June 19, 1961, with the establishment of Bharat Forge, a company that manufactures automotive components. Over the years, the group has diversified into aerospace, railway, marine, and energy sectors. Bharat Forge is the flagship company of the Kalyani Group. Other major companies in the group include Hikal Ltd., Automotive Axles, BF Utilities Ltd., Kalyani Steels, Kalyani Forge, and BF Investment. The group also holds a 51% stake in Kalyani Rafael Advanced Systems, a joint venture with Israeli defense firm Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
This ongoing legal battle over the family’s fortune has further complicated the dynamics within the Kalyani family, as they continue to clash over their mother’s wealth and legacy.
Conclusion
The dispute over the wills of Sulochana Kalyani has turned into a major legal confrontation between Baba Kalyani and his brother Gaurishankar, with additional conflicts involving their sister’s children. As the court reviews the validity of the different wills, the future of the family’s vast fortune remains uncertain.
This high-profile family feud, involving one of India’s leading industrial families, continues to capture public attention as both sides prepare to present their cases in court.
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