His half-brother Rajeev Bal and his friend Lalit Tehlan of 22 years are throwing swords at the designer in a dispute over who will own the brand and assets of renowned fashion designer Rohit Bal, who passed away on November 1 due to a heart attack. perceived desire.
Refusing to confirm or deny whether Rohit Bal had given all the wills to him as his family, Rajeev told The Indian Express, “I have no comment on the will. Lalit Tehlan has claimed that he has a document that no one has seen so far. Let him present it to everyone.” And then we will take legal recourse, as far as I am concerned, he is a stranger to the family.
“I continue to be the director of Rohit Ball Designs Pvt. Our creative heads continue with business as usual. We are busy taking orders this wedding season,” he added. He declined to share whether Rohit had discussed the future of his business on his last day.
Tehlan said that Rohit Bal Design Pvt Ltd owns 99 percent and Rajiv owns 1 percent. Tehlan is claiming his rights as the heir to the brand and assets which include two floors in Defense Colony, a factory in Noida, some land, artefacts and artefacts. Sources said the value of the land itself is not less than Rs 100 crore.
Meanwhile, Rajeev also dismissed Tehlan’s claim as the founder of Rohit Bal Fashion, one of the sub-brands of Alexander Jeans. “The label is Rohit Ball’s Alexander Jeans and has nothing to do with Tehlan,” he reiterated.
However, Tehlan said that he is ready to show evidence if necessary. “It’s not like Gudda (Rohit) left everything to one person. He also patronized some of his weavers who had been with him for 45 years, arranging a good amount of money for them to take care of them,” he added.
On whether he can be called the founder of the Alexander Jeans label, Tehlan said, “I got Alexander Jeans for Rohit Bal Fashion and was part of all business discussions. So, when Reliance Group tried to invest in it, Gudda said that I have got the account, I can grow it. But he was very particular about not letting corporates take over his core brand. “
Accused of not being the true heir to the legacy of the ball, he said, “I was a 17-year-old boxer in Shahpur Jat who had no idea about fashion. Rohit Bal saw me, turned me into his model and assured my parents that he would take care of me. Do you think I’ll ever forget that? I understand Gudda’s vision and will never sell his work. In fact, now that he is gone, I am ready to do anything to carry forward the brand legacy. Rajeevji has experience in fashion exports and I would not mind working with him and combining forces.”
Gurmukh Chaudhary, Tehlan’s lawyer, said the document, signed by Ball and witnesses, “appears to be valid”. Although Tehlan claimed he had photographic evidence of the sign-off, his lawyer said he had not yet seen it.
Sunil Sethi, head of the Fashion Design Council of India and Rohit’s long-time friend, has been named as the executor of the wish, Tehlan claimed.
“When Tehlan and his lawyer told me (about Will), I immediately called Rajeev. I haven’t seen the will yet but Tehlan and his lawyer were more than willing to show it to me. I am committed to follow the due process of the law,’ said Sethi.
“If both parties have what they claim, first it must be probated (a legal process that confirms the validity of a will and gives the executor the right to manage the deceased person’s estate). Only then do we sit down with family, friends and witnesses and see what the court says on the matter.” We can go accordingly,’ he added
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