Uddhav Thackeray says no to settlement with brother Jaidev in property dispute

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday told the Bombay High Court that he is not interested in an out-of-court settlement of the property dispute with his brother Jaidev following which the judge advised him to reconsider his decision and attempt an amicable resolution. The dispute has originated from the Will of his father, Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, in which he has not left anything for his estranged son Jaidev.

Jaidev has contested the Will saying his father would not have been of sound mind while executing it as he has not been included among the inheritors of Bal Thackeray's property. Uddhav's counsel Rajesh Shah informed Justice Gautam Patel that his client was not interested in an out-of- court settlement and would rather follow the contents of the Will left behind by his father.

Jaidev had earlier told the court he was prepared for a compromise but Uddhav had sought time to give it a thought. After Uddhav's counsel informed the court about his client's decision, Justice Patel advised him to reconsider it and try to reach an amicable agreement with his brother.

The matter has been adjourned to January 20 when Dr Jalil Parkar, Thackeray's personal physician and a witness in the Will would be examined. Witnesses are being examined by Uddhav who has moved the High Court to probate the Will of his father and get it certified.

In his Will, Bal Thackeray, who died in November 2012, had bequeathed a major share of his property to Uddhav but left nothing for Jaidev. After Jaidev contested the Will, the court converted Uddhav's petition for probate into a testamentary (relating to Will) suit.