Birlas, Lodha, in legal battle

The legal battle between Birlas and their auditor, Rajendra Singh Lodha, for the control of Rs 5,000 crore worth of assets of the M.P. Birla group formally began on Friday with the Calcutta High Court issuing notice to the Birlas even as Lodha sought dismissal of the caveats filed by the Birlas.The probate section of the Calcutta High Court issued notice to the Birlas after entertaining the probate application of Lodha by the registrar-in-insolvency in connection with the disputed will. The notice was served as the Birlas had earlier filed a number of caveats to secure their right to be heard when the purported will would be taken up for legal authentication. Immediately after receiving the notice, the Birla clan went into a huddle to finalise their next course of action in the legal battle. But despite the court initiating the formal legal process for legal authentication of the disputed will, the Lodha side fired a salvo at the Birlas with a petition seeking dismissal of the caveats by four members of the Birla family.