The Bombay High Court on Tuesday adjourned a defamation suit of Rs 20 crore filed by a senior citizen, now nearly 90, and her daughter against the managing committee members of a south Mumbai housing society. The case has been postponed to 2046.
Justice Jitendra Jain, presiding over the single bench, remarked, "I do not wish to state anything further except that this matter should not be taken up for the next 20 years," after a settlement attempt failed and the plaintiff insisted on pursuing the suit. The dispute reportedly originated about a decade ago.
On April 20, the High Court had urged both parties to explore a settlement, suggesting that the defendants could offer an unconditional apology. On Tuesday, the former committee members, represented by ALMT Legal, expressed willingness to apologize unconditionally without prejudice. However, the elderly woman remained adamant about continuing the legal battle, as noted in the court's one-page order.
The High Court observed, "This is one of the matters where the ego fight between the parties at their fag end of their life clogs the system, which prevents the court from taking up the matters which really requires more priority."
The conflict arose from allegations regarding the collection of funds for the society's repair and maintenance. In the minutes of a meeting, the woman was referred to as a "defaulter," prompting the defamation suit.
