Baba Kalyani Family Dispute: Sister Sugandha Hiremath Requests Expedited Court Hearings

In a recent twist in the Baba Kalyani family dispute, Sugandha Hiremath has requested the court to fast-track the hearing of the partition suit. The case was initiated by her in a Pune court and dates back to the year 2012. 

Hiremath requested the court to prioritise the case due to the advanced age of all the parties involved in the dispute.

The dispute was originally about division of Parvati Nivas, the Kalyani family's ancestral home in Pune. However, after recent changes, Hiremath expanded her claims to include the entire Kalyani family wealth, claiming that she was previously unaware of the extent of the family's assets. She now seeks a one-third share of the entire family's wealth, which reportedly exceeds Rs 1 lakh crore.

She added that both her brothers Baba Kalyani and Gaurishankar, are also senior citizens. 

“If the hearing of the suit proceedings is not expedited, the plaintiff will not be able to enjoy the fruits of the decree during her lifetime,” she submitted.

Hiremath's legal stance also involves a challenge to two wills of their mother, Sulochana Kalyani. The first will, dated 2012, favours Baba Kalyani, while the second will, dated 2022, benefits Gaurishankar, her other brother. Notably, Sugandha has been excluded from both documents. 

She has accused her brothers of exploiting their mother during a period when she was emotionally and financially dependent on them. As part of her legal claim, Hiremath has asserted that her mother died intestate and that she was entitled to her rightful share of her mother's assets.

Hiremath's primary contention revolves around the argument that the wealth under the Kalyani banner was created using capital inherited from their grandfather, Annappa Narayan Kalyani, and thus belongs to the Kalyani Hindu Undivided Family. Under Hindu law, she claims a one-third share of the promoter holdings in all Kalyani Group companies, including publicly listed entities.

At present, Baba Kalyani, aged 76, serves as the Karta (head) of the Kalyani HUF. If Hiremath's claims are upheld, it could potentially impact the ownership structure of Kalyani Group companies.

The court's decision on Hiremath's request for an expedited hearing is awaited.