MUMBAI: The controversy revolving around the late yesteryear diva Parveen Babi’s will has been laid to rest with the Bombay High Court accepting its legitimacy. Almost 11 years after her death, the HC has asked the concerned authorities to execute the terms of her will, before December 23. The move has paved the way for most of her assets to be diverted to help the disadvantaged women and children.
The will, which was produced by her uncle Muradkhan Babi (82) in 2005, came under the court’s scrutiny last week, after her paternal relatives, dropped their claim that the document was fake. Their decision has ended the ongoing feud over the late actress’ assets, which include a sea-facing 4 bedroom flat in Juhu, a haveli in Junagadh, jewellery, deposits of at least 20 lakh in banks and other investments.
According to Babi’s will, 80% of her wealth should be used to form a trust for women and children of Babi community in Junagad, headed by Muradkhan Babi, who has been offered the rest 20% of the assets. He will further nominate two members from the Babi community for the trust. St. Xavier's College in Ahmedabad where the actress pursued her masters in English Literature before her foray into films will receive 10% of the trusts funds.
The 56-year-old yesteryear diva who lived alone was rumoured to have died of diabetic complications in 2005, leaving no document declaring heirs. Owing to the controversy, the Administrator General and official trustee, a body that manages properties of people who have not left behind a will, had taken control over her assets. However, Muradkhan, came forward with a will dated to 2002, which the paternal relatives claimed to be a fake, as they were left out of the will. This had eventually led to a dispute that ended up in a legal battle.
Parveen Babi who starred in some of the most popular films in the 1970s and 1980s was found dead in her Juhu flat on January 22, 2005.