Mumbai: A family dispute has emerged over the ownership of Jalsa, the Mumbai residence of actor Amitabh Bachchan, after his sister-in-law Ramola Bachchan challenged a 1993 gift deed that transferred the property to Jaya Bachchan.
Ramola, who is married to Amitabh Bachchan’s younger brother Ajitabh, has alleged that the transfer took place without her knowledge or consent. She has approached the registration authorities with multiple complaints over the past seven months, questioning the validity of the decades-old document.
The dispute centres on conflicting property records. While the records of Kapol Housing Society reportedly list Jaya Bachchan as the owner, the Maharashtra government’s Property Card continues to carry Ramola’s name.
In her complaint, Ramola has questioned how the gift deed was prepared and registered. She has alleged that the document was drawn up on plain paper without stamp duty being paid at the time and did not carry witnesses’ signatures. She has also raised objections to its subsequent registration under the Maharashtra government’s Abhay Yojana scheme.
The matter has reached the office of the Deputy Registrar of Co-operative Societies in Andheri. Deputy Registrar Faiyaz Mulani has confirmed that a hearing has begun and that the parties concerned have been asked to submit their responses.
No decision has been taken on the validity of the gift deed or the competing ownership claims.
Amitabh Bachchan has not publicly responded to the dispute. Jaya Bachchan could not be reached for comment, while a spokesperson for Abhishek Bachchan declined to comment, describing the matter as an internal family issue.
Jalsa, located in Mumbai’s Juhu neighbourhood, is closely associated with Amitabh Bachchan’s public life. The actor has maintained a long-standing Sunday tradition of greeting fans who gather outside the bungalow.
(With inputs from media reports)