A Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran made the observation after noting that the mediation between the competing parties was proceeding satisfactorily.
The Court noted that former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, who is mediating the dispute, had submitted a preliminary mediation report dated August 5.
“We are happy to note that the mediation is proceeding quite satisfactorily. We are also happy to note that the parties concerned are cooperating,” the Court said on Thursday.
The Court also noted that six mediation sessions have been conducted so far and that the mediator has interacted with all members of the family.
“The parties have engaged in detailed discussions regarding the claims and entitlements that arise from the trust structure and the assets forming part of the corpus of the trust,” the Court recorded.
The mediator informed the Court that the parties have agreed to hold further discussions among themselves under his supervision to explore the possibility of “crystallising a holistic settlement of their claims”.
The Court also noted that the mediator had availed the services of a senior chartered accountant and a tax expert during the mediation process.
The Court accepted the mediator’s request for more time and permitted mediation to continue until November 2.
“We are sure and very much hopeful that the manner in which the parties have cooperated so far in the mediation proceedings, all disputes may get resolved amicably,” the Court said.
The Bench once again reminded the family of what it had told them while sending the dispute for mediation – that they should participate with an “open mind and open heart” and avoid being dragged into litigation that could continue for years.
“Let the mediation proceed further. We shall wait for one more report of the learned mediator,” the Court said.
