The Supreme Court on Monday referred the long-running dispute in the Kalyani family to mediation, appointing former apex court judge Justice L. Nageswara Rao as the mediator after persuading the parties to explore an amicable settlement.
“On persistent persuasion by this Court, the parties have been convinced to explore the possibility of an amicable settlement,” the Supreme Court said in the order.
A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana passed the order while hearing a special leave petition filed by Sugandha Jai Hiremath challenging a Bombay High Court order that had declined to direct mediation between the family members.
The dispute involves multiple proceedings between siblings Baba Kalyani, Sugandha Hiremath and Gaurishankar Kalyani, including partition suits and probate proceedings concerning ancestral assets, immovable properties and shareholdings in listed Kalyani Group companies.
In its order, the Supreme Court requested Justice L. Nageswara Rao to act as mediator and directed senior counsel appearing for both sides to immediately contact him so that mediation could commence from July 14.
The court also requested the Bombay High Court to defer proceedings in the meantime and listed the matter for further hearing on August 3.
