Oberoi inheritance war: Anastasia assured of reappointment as Director, court told

The Delhi High Court was informed that Anastasia Oberoi would be reappointed as a director of Oberoi Hotels and Properties, amid an inheritance dispute involving her step-siblings and cousin over her late father PRS Oberoi's contested will.

In Short

• Oberoi siblings fight for inheritance in court
• Anastasia claims obstruction in executing PRS Oberoi's will
• Oberoi brothers assure reappointment of Anastasia as Director

In a fresh development in the Oberoi Hotel family dispute, the Delhi High Court was informed on Tuesday that Anastasia Oberoi, daughter of the late Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi, was assured of reappointment as a director of the companies managing the hotel and property business.

The court noted that this assurance was made at the annual general body meeting (AGM) of Oberoi Hotels Private Limited and Oberoi Properties Private Limited on November 5.

The assurance was provided by Anastasia’s brother, Vikramjit Oberoi, on behalf of himself and their cousin, Arjun Oberoi, amid an ongoing inheritance dispute.

Anastasia Oberoi approached the Delhi High Court, alleging that her step-siblings and cousin were obstructing the proper execution of her father’s will. PRS Oberoi, who passed away 10 months ago, left a contested will that has led to a legal battle over the management and ownership of the Oberoi Group’s assets.

However, Vikramjit Oberoi, Managing Director and CEO of EIH Ltd., the flagship company of the Oberoi Group, and Arjun Oberoi, Executive Chairman of EIH, contest Anastasia’s claims. They argue that the will and codicil do not represent the original intentions of MS Oberoi, the group’s founder and father of PRS Oberoi.

On Tuesday, the court heard a plea by Anastasia asserting that Rajaraman Shankar, a senior executive at Oberoi Hotels and one of the executors of the will, should not be allowed to attend or be counted towards the quorum for meetings related to the reappointment of directors.

The court was informed that the AGM was to be held on Tuesday and that Anastasia Oberoi would be reappointed as a director of the companies. The High Court recorded this submission, noting that the parties' consent was limited to the AGM of November 5.

Anastasia was permitted to participate in and vote on the reappointment of all directors for the specific purpose of the AGM.

On September 12, the High Court had ruled that Shankar could exercise his voting rights only for the purpose of statutory compliance and the filing of statutory reports. Anastasia’s current application alleges a violation of that order.