Just wondering ...

What happened to the legal battle between the Birlas and their erstwhile auditor R.S. Lodha over the late Priyamvada Birla’s will bequeathing the M.P. Birla estate to him? The litigation is still being fought before the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court.

The Birlas seemed to be gaining the upper hand when, in May 2006, a trial court ordered the appointment of four administrators over the M.P. Birla empire, which was being run by Lodha. But Lodha won a reprieve in October last year, when a Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court stayed that order.

The Birlas have filed an special leave petition against this stay order and the matter is expected to come up for hearing on April 4. Meanwhile, in the first week of April, the Supreme Court is expected to pronounce judgment in another legal battle—over which of the Birlas have a caveatable interest in the M.P. Birla case. Pending the hearing and the judgment, it remains advantage Lodha for now.