The Hindu Business Line : Scribe of Priyamvada Birla's will moves SC

IN a major turn of events in the ongoing controversy between the Birla family and Mr R.S. Lodha, the scribe of Priyamvada Birla's will, Dr V. Gaurishankar, has filed a special leave petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court.

The petition seeks dismissal of the criminal cases filed against him, at the behest of Birlas, in the local courts of Kolkata. The matter is scheduled for hearing on Monday.

Stating that he was pained at being named an accused in the criminal case, Dr Gaurishankar, who had been a close associate and personal advisor of M.P. Birla and Priyamvada Birla since 1956, moved a separate petition before the apex court today, challenging the Calcutta High Court order.

Sources associated with the case said that Dr Gaurishankar decided to knock at the doors of the apex court directly for intervention in the matter, as he did not expect the Calcutta High Court to send the matter back to trial and prolong the disposal of the case.

Till now the Birlas had been arguing that Mr Lodha had tricked Ms Birla into signing the will and that she had no legal advice regarding the will.

In his petition, Dr Gaurishankar dismissed the criminal charges levied by the Birlas as `pressure tactics'. He has also described the complainant in the criminal case, Mr R.P. Pansari as a `puppet' of the Birlas.

In his SLP, Dr Gaurishankar has also discussed the dissatisfaction of M.P. Birla over the division of the Birla empire and their internal relationships after the demise of G.D. Birla.

The petition also talks about Priyamvada's trust and confidence in Mr Lodha. He has also pointed out that specific instructions were given to him by Priyamvada for drafting her will.

He affirmed that the will produced in the probate proceedings and in the criminal complaint is the one he had drafted.

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