Another witness to the will of Priyamvada Birla turned hostile on Tuesday. The witness, Dr Madan Mishra, was the family physician of the Birlas.
He and his family continue to be associated with Birla clinics, including those of the MP Birla group, according to sources.
Birla vs Lodha: War over a will
However, Mishra could not be contacted despite repeated attempts to do so. Birla family sources said the statement of the witness was conveyed to the side representing RS Lodha.
The fight for the property of MP Birla may take yet another twist as Lodha may follow up Monday's probate petition with an interim petition seeking the protection of the disputed properties and assets.
According to sources, Lodha will ask the court to appoint a court officer over the MP Birla property till the probate is granted in his favour.
The petition also seeks a court injunction restraining any third party from disposing off or dealing with the property, which is the subject matter of the will of Priyamvada Birla.
The sources added that the petition would be moved after the Calcutta high court issued a notice to the Birlas, as the family had already filed 17 caveats in the court relating to the grant of probate to Lodha.
Meanwhile, Business Standard had the opportunity to see the last will of Priyamvada Birla, in which she bequeathed assets worth Rs 5,000 crore (Rs 50 billion) of the MP Birla group in favour of Lodha.
"This will is made to protect the individual identity of Late MP Birla, the property now standing in my name is bequeathed to R S Lodha," it says.
