The former apex court judge Justice R V Raveendran was today appointed by the Supreme Court as the mediator to settle the family property dispute involving businessman and former IPL head Lalit Modi and his mother Bina Modi.
The top Court observed that counsel appearing for both sides had agree to follow any pre-condition and with an open mind to settle the dispute in mediation.
A bench headed by the CJI Ramana said that we believe that the issue can be resolved by way of mediation”
The bench comprising Justice Krishna Murari and Justice Hima Kohli said “we appoint Justice R V Raveendran, a retired judge of this court, to mediate and settle the dispute”.The request for keeping the matter personal was asked by the court.
On July 28, Lalit Modi, with his mother had told the bench that the apex court-mandated mediation to resolve a long pending property dispute in the family that had failed.
On December 2021 the Top Court, had appointed former apex court judges – Justices Vikramjit Sen and Kurian Joseph – to mediate and help the Modis to find an amicable solution after taking the consent of rival parties to the family property dispute.
The top court was hearing Lalit Modi’s appeal against the judgement of a division bench of the Delhi High Court. that the anti-arbitration injunction lawsuit filed by Bina Modi, wife of late industrialist K K Modi, against her son is maintainable.
On Monday, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Bina Modi, during the hearing told that the bench that they would not alienate any of the trust property.
Senior advocate Harish Salve, who appeared for Lalit Modi, told the apex court that they have moved an application for restraining Bina Modi from alienating any of the trust properties.
The CJI during the hearing said “Now again I am proposing, are you willing for another round of mediation. Not arbitration. Are you willing?,
The advocate Salve said the mediation cannot start with any pre-condition and going into mediation with an open mind is the need of the hour.
Lalit Modi was represented advocate A M Singhvi, who said an interim status quo should be granted and no property should be alienated.
The bench observed that Sibal has stated that no trust property will be sold.
The CJI said.”If all of you will agree, I will suggest one name, only for mediation. Justice Raveendran
During the hearing, Sibal said the court may record the statement that no trust property is being sold by his client.
The Bench listed the matter for hearing after four weeks.