Family Members of Bharat Forge Chairman Seek Mediation in Asset Dispute

Two children of Bharat Forge chairman Baba Kalyani's younger sister have filed a mediation application in a Pune court. Sameer Hiremath and Pallavi Anish Swadi, children of Sugandha Hiremath, are seeking a share in the family's assets. They expressed their willingness to mediate with their uncle to avoid further distress.

The siblings' counsel stated that Baba Kalyani's accusations against the family elders were damaging their reputation. "The claims made by Baba Kalyani are very disturbing and harming the family's reputation," the petitioners' statement said. Advocate Shailendra Aglawe, representing the siblings, proposed mediation before Joint Civil Judge Senior Division SS Shinde.

Family Dispute Over Assets

Baba Kalyani's counsel, Amit Agashe, strongly opposed any talks of settlement or mediation. Despite this opposition, the court accepted the request for mediation, according to Hiremath and Swadi's statement. Earlier this year, the siblings had approached the Pune civil court seeking partition of the Kalyani family assets as a Hindu Undivided Family (HUF).

In response to their petition, Baba Kalyani denied the existence of any family HUF. He argued that the siblings had no right to any family wealth because they were children of Sugandha Hiremath. He also claimed that his grandfather Annappa Narayan Kalyani (ANK) was not wealthy and earned only Rs 2 per month.

Claims and Counterclaims

ANK reportedly left just Rs 2 lakh to his son Neelkanth Annappa Kalyani (NAK), who is Baba Kalyani and Sugandha's father. This claim offended Hiremath and Swadi, who took issue with their great-grandfather being called a pauper by Baba Kalyani. In a reply filed on Monday, Sameer Hiremath and Pallavi Swadi accused Baba Kalyani of perjury.

The siblings stated that Baba Kalyani lied under oath by making several false statements. A counter statement from the Kalyani Group spokesperson described the siblings' suit as frivolous. "Sameer Hiremath and Pallavi Swadi have now sought permission for mediation, which shows they have no cause of action," the statement asserted.

The spokesperson also accused the petitioners of making malicious attempts to defame certain family members. The ongoing dispute has caused significant distress within the family, prompting the siblings to seek a resolution through mediation.

The court's acceptance of the mediation request offers a potential path to resolving this contentious issue. Both parties will now have an opportunity to discuss their differences outside of court.