A significant property dispute has surfaced involving 'Jalsa', the iconic Juhu residence of Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan. Ramola Bachchan, sister-in-law to Amitabh and wife of his younger brother Ajitabh Bachchan, has reportedly challenged a 1993 gift deed that transferred the bungalow's ownership to actor-politician Jaya Bachchan.
According to reports, Ramola Bachchan alleges that the transfer occurred without her knowledge or consent. She claims that Jalsa was initially registered in her name before the disputed gift deed was executed. The matter has now reached the office of the Deputy Registrar of Co-operative Societies in Andheri, Mumbai, where formal proceedings have commenced.
Discrepancies in Property Records
The dispute highlights conflicting information in official ownership documents. Records maintained by the Kapol Housing Society reportedly identify Jaya Bachchan as the current owner. However, the Maharashtra government's Property Card continues to list Ramola Bachchan's name. This discrepancy reportedly resurfaced when attempts were made to update the government records to reflect Jaya Bachchan's ownership.
Ramola Bachchan has also questioned the validity of the original gift deed itself. Her complaints reportedly state that the document was prepared on plain paper, lacked stamp duty payment at the time of transfer, and did not include witness signatures. She has further raised concerns regarding its subsequent registration and regularization under the Maharashtra government's Abhay Yojana scheme.
Authorities Investigate Claims
Deputy Registrar Faiyaz Mulani has confirmed receipt of the complaint and the initiation of proceedings. All concerned parties have been asked to submit their responses as authorities delve into the allegations and examine the claims. The validity of the disputed deed and the ultimate ownership of Jalsa are yet to be determined, with no final decision reported.
When contacted for comment, Amitabh Bachchan reportedly did not respond to queries regarding the dispute, and Jaya Bachchan could not be reached. A spokesperson for Abhishek Bachchan declined to comment, characterizing the matter as an internal family issue.