Asking Sheetal to file her reply in the petition seeking CID inquiry for allegedly stealing paintings worth Rs2 crore, the Bombay High Court has observed that prima facie this seems to be a family dispute.
Asking Sheetal Mafatlal to file her reply in the petition seeking CID inquiry for allegedly stealing paintings worth Rs2 crore, the Bombay High Court has observed that prima facie this seems to be a family dispute.
A division bench of Justice VM Kanade and Justice Abhay Thipsay asked Sheetal’s advocate Zulfi Memon of MZM Legal to file a reply within two weeks. The court has also asked Mangalya Trading and Investment Ltd to produce a board resolution giving powers to one of its directors to file the petition on its behalf.
Mangalya, of which Atulya Mafatlal is a director, looks after investments and also purchases valuables, antique articles, paintings and other things of Mafatlals.
Mangalya has filed a petition seeking inquiry by state Crime Investigation Department over alleged stealing of paintings, which is owned by the firm, worth Rs2 crore by Sheetal.
According to the petition, it purchased a huge painting by artist Manjit Bawa from Sakshi Gallery Synergy and Art Foundation for Rs5,53,700 on March 29, 1997.
During the hearing, Justice Kanade asked whether divorce petitions was filed by the couple. The court also observed that it seemed to be a family dispute and asked for a board resolution permitting one director to file a writ petition.
Ashutosh Kumbhkoni, counsel for Mangalya, informed the court that no divorce proceedings were initiated.
To this Justice Kanade remarked that in that case they should file a complaint with the police or file a private complaint with the magistrate. “The magistrate can direct initiation of proceedings under section 156(3) of the criminal procedure code. You need not file a writ petition for this.”
Public prosecutor KV Saste informed the court that they have filed a complaint. “The investigation is on and police have recorded statements of 16 witnesses,” said Saste.
According to Mangalya’s petition, they learnt on July 28, 2011 that the painting was stolen from the Mafatlal bungalow. Since the painting belonged to the Mangalya, it enquired with family members of Mafatlal. They learnt that on July 11, Sheetal, with the help of some associates, had removed the painting without consent of other family members.
The petition claims that the current value of the painting is Rs2 crore.
Keeping the petition for hearing after two weeks, the high court has asked Sheetal to file reply and asked Mangalya to produce a board resolution.
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