Uddhav Thackeray to get Bal Thackeray’s estate

Jaidev Thackeray, the estranged son of late Shiv Sena party chief Bal Thackeray, on Friday, withdrew his challenge to the will of the deceased leader. This allows the senior Thackeray’s properties and estate be given to his son, Uddhav Thackeray and four others. 

Jaidev’s affidavit states that he wants to close the opposition to the probate. He simply no longer wants to oppose the proceedings. Justice Gautam Patel, who has been hearing the plea filed by Jaidev, took the affidavit on record and said “The caveat will have to stand discharged, rival contentions are not adjudicated. The registry will issue probate by November 26.” 

DNA had reported on Jan 20, 2014, that Thackeray, in his will had bequeathed majority of his property to his youngest son, Uddhav. The family estate, left behind by Thackeray, includes properties and bank deposits worth Rs 14.85 crore, according to the will. However, Jayadev’s contention is that the real value is higher. As per the will, dated December 13, 2011, except for the first floor of the three–storey Matoshree bungalow, all his properties have been bequeathed only to Uddhav Thackeray and his immediate family. 

While the first floor of the family bungalow has gone only to Aishvarya – son of Jayadev and his now divorced wife Smita, though nothing has been given to either of Aishwarya’s parents. Same is the case with Uddhav’s eldest brother Bindumadhav’s immediate family – his wife Madhavi and their son Nihar, who haven’t been given anything.

Soon after the demise of Thackeray, Jaidev had moved the high court in 2013. He has examined several witnesses including media persons and those who stood witness to the will prepared by Thackeray, to prove his case, that it was not genuine. The court had framed two issues to test his challenge on. The first issue is whether the will was executed and attested by late Thackeray. “Whether the deceased (Thackeray) was of sound and disposable mind at the time of executing the will,” is the second issue. The last issue is “whether Uddhav is entitled to probate of the will.”