New Delhi, Sep 25 The Supreme Court has proposed the name of senior advocate Uttara Babbar to act as advocate commissioner in a dispute involving the family of the late real estate developer Ashok Varma, related to the Ardee Group and associated family assets.
A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale was informed by lawyers appearing for both sides that the parties were in agreement over the suggestion.
“A suggestion made by this court, as to whether Uttara Babbar, senior counsel, would be able to act as an advocate commissioner, to be assisted by the advocate commissioner who has already undertaken the exercise to an extent.
“On the said suggestion, both the senior counsel appearing for the respective parties are ad idem,” the bench noted.
The top court suggested both parties to inquire the convenience of senior advocate Babbar and whether she would be willing to undertake the said exercise to give effect to the memorandum of settlement dated February 5.
The matter has now been posted for hearing on October 6.
The property dispute involving the Ardee Group involves Shefali Varma and Shibani Varma Kapur, daughters of the late Ashok Varma, regarding control of the family’s real estate assets and business interests.
The top court had earlier appointed former top court judge Justice Kurian Joseph as a mediator to assist the parties in reaching an amicable settlement.
“Having considered the gravity of the issue, we propose that the parties should go for mediation, on which senior counsel representing the parties have agreed to take recourse to mediation.
“By the consent of the senior counsel for both the parties, we request Justice Kurian Joseph, former judge of this court, to burn the midnight oil and to help in amicable resolution, if possible,” the bench had said in its order.
Justice Joseph had earlier submitted an interim report informing the bench that the parties had successfully resolved their major disputes through mediation.
The mediator informed the top court that additional time would be required to work out a comprehensive settlement framework and complete the implementation process.
Taking note of the report, the Supreme Court granted time for implementation of the settlement and directed the parties to carry forward the agreed terms.
The interim report placed before the bench said that the parties have reached a settlement of their major disputes.
(PTI News)
