Lalit Tehlan moves Delhi High Court seeking rights under Will of late fashion designer Rohit Bal

The Delhi High Court today briefly heard the arguments on a petition moved by Lalit Tehlan, a close friend of the renowned fashion designer late Rohit Bal for the grant of probate in respect of his Will [Lalit Tehlan V/S State Of Nct Of Delhi And Ors]..As per the Will dated October 30, 2023, Bal bequeathed all his movable and immovable properties, including his shareholding in Rohit Bal Designs Private Limited, to Tehlan. The bequeathment also includes expensive artifacts, paintings, sculptures, watches and gold.Bal passed away in November 2024 at his residence in Delhi. .Justice Anish Dayal examined Tehlan’s plea under the Indian Succession Act and observed that he is neither the executor nor a family member. “This is an unregistered will. The question we want to ask you is, what is the locus? It is a peculiar situation, you are not a family member,” the Court said. .Tehlan's counsel, Senior Advocate Sanjiv Kakra, told the Court that he was close to Bal with the relationship of over 20 years. “I am the primary beneficiary under the will. There are no Class I, II, agnates, only cognates,” it was submitted..The Court pointed out that the petition was not filed under the correct provision of law. The counsel then made an oral prayer for it be treated under the relevant provision.The Bench acceded to the request and allowed the petition to be treated under Section 278 (grant of letter of administration) of Indian Succession Act instead of Section 272 (grant of probate) under which it was originally filed..In his plea before the Court, Tehlan has alleged that after Bal’s demise, his step-brothers changed the locks of the house where Bal and Tehlan resided and deployed guards at the premises.He has also alleged that the step-brothers were deliberately excluding him to usurp the properties bequeathed to him. .Advocates Jay Bhardwaj, Priya Arora and Disha Bajaj filed the petition.