Lodha challenges Newar substitutions

Rajendra Singh Lodha has filed an appeal challenging the order of Justice K J Sengupta permitting the substitution of Arvind Newar, N G Khaitan, D K Mantri and Ajoy Newar, in place of Laxmi Newar, a sister of M P Birla, in the case for grant of probate.

Lodha's appeal will be heard by the division bench of P C Ghosh and Justice T K Dutta of the Calcutta High Court on November 29.

After the death of Laxmi Newar, an application for substitution was filed in the court praying to substitute the four persons in place of Laxmi Newar.

The court allowed the prayer on June 24,2005.

Lodha filed its petition for grant of probate of the last Will and testament of Priyamvada Birla, claiming himself as the sole executor of the Will. Two sisters of M P Birla, Laxmi Newar and Radha Mohata opposed the grant of probate petition of Lodha.

In May 2005, Laxmi Newar died. The application for substitution was made thereafter.

Four Birlas "" namely K K Birla, B K Birla, G P Birla and Yashovardhan Birla - also filed application (caveat) to oppose the grant of probate petition of Lodha.

Justice Sengupta struck down the rights of K K Birla , B K Birla, and Yashovardhan Birla for filing caveat but observed that G P Birla had the right to contest the probate case.

Lodha in his appeal said that Ajay and Arvind were sons of Laxmi Newar but N G Khaitan was the lawyer of Laxmi Newar and D K Mantri was a close associate of the Birla family. They could not have any rights to be included in place of Laxmi Newar, in a case related to the property of late M P Birla.