The Delhi High Court has ordered that no changes be made to the late fashion designer Rohit Bal’s property amid a will dispute. Lalit Tehlan, claiming rights to Bal’s assets via an unregistered will, argues his step-siblings are attempting to seize the estate. The court mandated an inventory assessment of Bal’s assets to maintain the status quo.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday (Feb 4th) ordered that no changes be made to the property and assets of late fashion designer Rohit Bal while a dispute over his will is pending. The order ensures that the estate left behind by Bal is not altered or transferred until the case is resolved.
The court passed this interim order in response to a plea by Lalit Tehlan, a close friend of Bal who had lived with him before his passing. Tehlan has claimed rights over Bal’s assets based on a will dated October 30, 2023, which allegedly bequeaths all of Bal’s movable and immovable properties to him.
The will reportedly includes:
- Rohit Bal’s Defence Colony residence
- His shareholding in Rohit Bal Designs Private Limited
- Expensive artifacts, paintings, sculptures, watches, and gold
Tehlan informed the court that after Bal’s passing, his step-siblings took control of his Defence Colony property, changed the locks, and deployed security guards to restrict his access. He alleged that Bal’s step-siblings were trying to usurp the assets left to him.
Expressing concern that these assets might be used or transferred, Tehlan requested the court to intervene and prevent any potential loss of his legal property rights.
Justice Anish Dayal took note of these concerns and ruled that status quo be maintained on all movable and immovable properties left by Bal. The court ordered:
- “To avoid dissipation of the estate, there will remain a status quo on the movable assets or any property or asset of the testator, even the ones not listed or known.”
- A Local Commissioner and an art expert will be appointed to assess and inventory Bal’s assets, including those stored in safes.
- All valuable items will be kept in a safe, and the key will be handed over to the Registrar General of the High Court.
- The inventory process is scheduled for March 10 or 11 and will be overseen by the Registrar (Judicial) on March 6.
Senior Advocate Abhinav Vashisht, representing Bal’s stepbrothers, confirmed that they are in possession of the property’s keys. The court also directed that a valuation report of Bal’s estate be published in two newspapers.
Justice Dayal further observed that other heirs might step forward to claim a share in the estate, remarking,
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“I have no doubt that everybody is going to come [for the property].”
During earlier hearings, the court noted that Tehlan’s claim is based on an unregistered will and pointed out that since he is not a family member, the case is a “peculiar situation.”
However, Tehlan’s counsel, Senior Advocate Sanjiv Kakra, defended his claim by stating that Tehlan had a close bond with Bal for over 20 years. Tehlan’s legal team includes Advocates Jay Bhardwaj, Priya Arora, and Disha Bajaj.
Case Title – Lalit Tehlan v. State of Nct of Delhi and ors
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