The Bombay High Court Refuses Interim Relief to Sholay Director Ramesh Sippy

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APRIL 16,2024

Sholay director Ramesh Sippy is currently fighting a legal battle against his siblings' legal heirs. The Bombay High Court bench of Justice Manish Pitale rejected Sippy's interim application for the appointment of a receiver to take possession of an apartment and the rights to 27 films. Sippy contended that these assets fell intestate after his father's, G. P. Sippy's, passing away.

The Bombay High Court refuses interim relief to Ramesh Sippy

Sippy sought interim relief on the ground that three of his nephews were illegally and exclusively enjoying the assets of his late father. Sippy's claim is for a one-fifth share of his late father's assets.

Dismissing the plaintiff's claim, the court said, 'Apart from this, the stand taken (by Sippy) in the present suit appears to be different from the assertions made in the earlier proceedings initiated by Sippy. Therefore, he has failed to make out a prima facie case in his favour.'

Earlier in 2012, the filmmaker filed a suit claiming the right to an adjoining flat in the same building on Altamount Road. That suit is still pending in court. Later, Sippy also filed a caveat in a probate petition filed by his nephews over the same property. Based on these facts, the court commented that 'prima facie gives an impression that the plaintiff (Sippy) has been shifting stands.' This means that the court is not prepared to indulge Sippy's claims because he has been shifting his position since 2012.

The judge added, 'The explanation for asserting cause of action in the manner in which it has been asserted in the present suit appears to be tenuous. In such a situation, this Court is not inclined to show indulgence and exercise discretion in favour of the plaintiff (Sippy).'

In conclusion, Justice Manish Pitale commented, 'This Court has gathered an impression, on the basis of the pleadings in the present case, that the plaintiff has not approached this Court with alacrity.'

Also Read: Sholay cannot be remade: Akshay Kumar

What is the legal battle between Ramesh Sippy and his nephews?

The crux of the matter is the declaration of shares in the estate of Ramesh Sippy's late parents. In this suit filed by Sippy in 2023, the filmmaker has claimed his ownership of a flat on Altamount Road, 500 shares in Sippy Films Pvt. Ltd., and rights to 27 films. According to him, these assets were left intestate after his father's passing away, and the directors of Sippy Films were illegally enjoying these assets. He has claimed that, as the only surviving sibling, he is entitled to one-fifth of his parents' estate.

Sippy is well known in the Bollywood industry for making films like Sholay, Seeta aur Geeta, and Shakti.