Monday, August 1 2005 20:00 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kolkata: Questioning the professional integrity of Rajendra S Lodha, fighting for the huge assets of the M P Birla group against the collective might of the Birla family, the counsel for the Birlas today (August 1, 2005) sought appointment of an administrator to the MPB group companies.

Appearing for the Birlas, senior counsel S B Mukherjee submitted that in a vast property like the Rs 5000 crore M P Birla estate, appointment of an administrator was necessary till the final decision was taken about the ownership.

Mukherjee cited several case laws in support of his contentions.

Mukherjee concluded his argument stating that R S Lodha had made a statement in his latest affidavit that he had never emphasised the bitter relationship between Priyamvada Birla and the other Birlas, contradicting his own earlier submissions.

He claimed that this was a surprising statement as on many past hearings, Lodha had claimed that Priyamvada had a strained relationship with other members of the Birla family.

He also claimed that appointment of an administrator to the M P Birla group companies would not have any adverse impact on the share market.

Lodha is the executor and also the beneficiary of the 1999 'will' of Priyamvada, for which he has sought probate and is facing legal challenge from the Birlas.

Hearing in the matter will continue.