Bombay High Court suggests out-of-court settlement for Mafatlal family

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Monday suggested the Mafatlal family to go for an out-of-court settlement with Atulya Mafatlal's estranged wife Sheetal.

Sheetal and the rest of the Mafatlal family, including Atulya, his daughter Marushka and his mother Madhuri, are embroiled in a legal feud with each side filing cases and litigations against each other for cheating, fraud and harassment.

A division bench of Justices V M Kanade and A M Thipsay was hearing a petition filed by Atulya's daughter Marushka and sister Kunti Shah seeking quashing of a complaint filed against them by Sheetal with Gamdevi police station.

Sayaji Nangre, counsel for Marushka, however, said that any settlement is not possible at this stage since Atulya is in London undergoing treatment for cancer and is not likely to return to the city soon.

Sheetal's counsel Zulfi Memon told the court that Atulya's return to Mumbai was essential for the settlement.

The court then directed Sheetal to file her affidavit in response to Marushka's petition.

Sheetal had lodged a complaint with the police against Atulya, his siblings, including Maruksha, his mother Madhuri and even his first wife Payal for causing physical and mental harassment.

Marushka, who is Atulya's teenage daughter from first wife Payal, had filed a theft complaint on behalf of Atulya against Sheetal saying she had stolen 40 valuable paintings from the Mafatlal Bungalow at Altamont Road.

Meanwhile, a sessions court today granted permission to Marushka to travel to London.

"The court has granted her permission to travel abroad and come back by October 17", said public prosecutor Kalpana Chavan.

Marushka is pursuing her Bachelors degree in Fashion Management since 2010 from the London School of Fashion Designing.