HC approves Parveen Babi’s will 11 years after her death

The will was ratified on October 14 after the actor’s paternal relatives, who had questioned its legitimacy, told the court they no longer wished to pursue the case

Almost 12 years after the death of film star Parveen Babi, the Bombay high court has ratified her will, paving the way for most of her assets to be diverted towards social and development endeavours.

Parveen Babi died at her Juhu apartment in January 2005. (AP photo)

Justice Gautam Patel probated Babi’s will on October 14 this year, after the actor’s paternal relatives, who had questioned the legitimacy of her will, told the court that they no longer wished to pursue the case.

As the dispute thus, stood resolved, Justice Patel directed the HC registry to grant letters allowing the administration of the will to Babi’s uncle Muradkhan M Babi by December 23 this year.

Read: Looking forward to fulfil last wish of my niece: Muradkhan Babi

Parveen Babi died at her Juhu apartment in January 2005 and soon after, Muradkhan claimed that the actor had left him in charge of her assets that comprised primarily of her Juhu apartment, her house in Junagadh, Gujarat, some jewellery and bank deposits.

He produced a copy of a will as per which Babi wanted a trust formed and headed by Muradhkan. This trust was to channel 70 per cent of her assets towards social work for aiding women and children. Ten per cent of the assets were left to Babi’s Alma mater St Xavier’s college Ahmedabad, and 20% was willed to Muradkhan. He moved court in August 2005 to get the will probated but soon after, some relatives filed a plea raising questions over its authenticity.

There were also two attesting witnesses to Babi’s will. While one of them passed away some years ago, last week, the surviving witness Chunilal Mohanlal Dhakka, filed an affidavit in the HC supporting Muradkhan’s claims.