MUMBAI: In a new turn of events in the Kalyani family dispute, Sugandha Haremuth – sister of temple director and Bharat Forge chairman Baba Kalyani – has disputed the validity of her late mother’s will, which essentially left her two sons. Brothers Baba Kalyani and Gauri Shankar Kalyani benefit.
His mother had made two separate wills before her death in February 2023. The first, in January 2012, primarily benefits Baba (75) while the second, in December 2022, names Gauri Shankar (69).
Sugandha (72) challenged the validity of both wills in the Pune Civil Court last week, claiming that her brothers obtained them through force and undue influence. The disputed assets include shares in Kalyani group companies such as Bharat Forge and Kalyani Forge, along with gold and diamond jewellery, fixed deposits, and various immovable properties in Maharashtra. This includes the Parvathi Nivas family home in Pune and parcels of land in the hilly areas of Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar.
He has raised objections after his brothers initiated separate probate proceedings in the Pune Civil Court. In his affidavits opposing both the probate petitions, Sugandha highlighted that his brothers had produced wills that were “conflicting and inconsistent with each other”. She claims that these wills were saved for usurpation. Kalyani Joint Family Estate While their mother was under the respective care of each brother.
During the signing of the first will in 2012, his mother Sulochana Kalyani had a strained relationship with Gauri Shankar and was heavily dependent on Baba for financial and emotional support. When the second will was signed in 2022, she was under the care of Gauri Shankar.
Sugandha contends that both the wills lack validity and authenticity and therefore the property should be distributed among the heirs giving one-third share. She contests the inclusion of certain properties in both wills, saying they belong to Kalyani’s joint family assets established by her father and grandfather, which were not legally bequeathed. can go
Sugandha claimed that her father was unwell at the time of signing the first will and had a troubled relationship with Gauri Shankar. Baba took advantage of these circumstances to get his mother’s signature on the will. Regarding the second will, Gauri Shankar forced his mother to sign it when she was mentally challenged.