Signature on film producer’s will forged: wife, son

In 2017, Rizvi was among the 39 killed in the early hours of New Year’s Day in Istanbul when a terrorist dressed as Santa Claus fired over 100 shots in a nightclub.

The minor son and wife’s lawyer informed the court that a testamentary writing was made by Rizvi on April 5, 2012, witnessed by an advocate and by a practising doctor. Justice Gautam Patel noted in his order, “The Will was allegedly notarized shortly thereafter on 2nd May 2012. There is also a dispute about the notarization and specifically the authenticity of the Notary’s register.”

The court also noted the arguments of the plaintiff, minor son and wife of Rizvi, “This will is disputed by the Plaintiffs who say that the Abis Rizvi’s signature and initials on it are all forged.”

Justice Patel said, “I am not examining the rival (respondents) contentions on merits at this stage. This brief background is only to note that there are these two documents that are disputed and require examination.”

The plaintiff and defendants told the court that they had obtained competing forensic reports. The court has posted the matter for hearing and final disposal on December 13.

In an August order, Justice Patel noted: “It seems to me self-evident that the estate was of considerable value, and that it was spread over diverse holdings and interests, including immovable property, investments, other movables and entitlements in licenses to copyright-protected works, specifically cinema films… I note that there is no agreement between the two sides as to the share of …(minor son of Abis) or Pooja, or both, in Abis’s estate. The reason is this. The 1st Defendant (Akhtar Hasan Rizvi) claims that Abis left a will under which there was a substantial monetary bequest, or at least a bequest of considerable value, to …(minor son), and the provision for residence and a life interest for Pooja.”

The minor son and Pooja’s lawyers told the court in August that the will itself had not yet been disclosed, but the lawyer appearing for Akhtar told the court that it has been disclosed. Justice Patel noted, “Presumably, but for the will, the whole of the estate of Abis Rizvi would, in law, be divisible between …(minor son) and Pooja. This again is a matter that will have to be examined at an appropriate stage.”