Gulzar to mediate in royalty matter

Gulzar will act as a mediator to settle royalty dispute between daughter of late Kavi Pradeep and music company Saregama Ltd.

The Bombay High Court appointed well-known lyricist Gulzar as a mediator to settle dispute between daughter of late Kavi Pradeep and music company Saregama Ltd, on royality to be paid to Army Widow's Fund for sale of music of patriotic song

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Chief Justice Dalveer Bhandari himself suggested that Gulzar be appointed as a mediator to settle the matter and reach a specific amount that the music company should pay to Army Widow's Fund as royalty from sale of music of the song.

The court deferred till July the petition urging for payment of royalty to the Centre for Welfare of Jawans and Widows, in keeping with the commitment made by the music company to the author of the song, late Pradeep.

Saregama Ltd told the court earlier that they were ready to pay a lumpsum amount of Rs one lakh but the judges felt that it was too little and suggested the music company to pay a substantial amount as it was for a noble cause.

Hearing the petition filed by Mitul Pradeep, daughter of late Pradeep, the court had earlier asked the Defence Ministry to file an affidavit stating amount received by the Centre from Saregama.