Rohit Bal’s will: FDCI chief Sunil Sethi is executor, wants the process transparent

Mumbai: Even as the controversy over the possession of will by late fashion connoisseur, Rohit Bal, Suni Sethi, the Chairman of the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), who has been appointed as the executor, said that he wants the process to be transparent and that he believed the will mentioned all the beneficiaries.

IANS Quoted Sunil Sethi as saying that executing Rohit Bal’s will, “came as a surprise” to him. He said, “The task of executing late Rohit Bal’s Will, came as a bit of surprise to me. Even though we shared a strong bond this topic was never part of our conversation.

"However, having said that, the right thing needs to be done. I’m awaiting more information, and details from the lawyers of both the parties involved - Lalit Tehlan and Rohit’s family. After assessing, we will accordingly proceed. Lalit’s lawyer had been in touch and both have shown keenness to show the will. A medical family emergency has delayed this meeting”.

Sunil has claimed that he has not seen the details of the will but few parts have been read out to him. He will be witness to them in the next one or two days. This will be done in the presence of both the opposing parties, along with a few friends and well wishers who were close to Rohit.

Sunil told IANS, “I want the process to be absolutely transparent as Rohit left a legacy and we hope to take it forward. It is imperative, the brand achieves longevity.” He added, “I’m hoping this issue will be amicably resolved at the earliest, so that the Rohit Bal brand doesn’t suffer. We don’t want any controversies, I’m sure the Will mentions all the beneficiaries. Who am I to question that? The Indian Courts will decide, lawyers, and CAs are equipped to make the correct judgement”, he added.

The late fashion icon Rohit Bal started his career with his brother Rajiv Bal in New Delhi in 1986 at the Company Orchid Oversea Pvt. Ltd and started his own first independent collection in 1990. Rohit Bal’s will kicked up a controversy as his close friend and former model Lalit Tehlan has claimed to be in possession of it, where a major chunk goes to him at the same time, the late designer’s brother Rajiv Bal says that the family also has a will.

Rajiv also shared that he and his family do not know about the will that Tehlan claims to have by Rohit, who was fondly referred to as Gudda. According to media reports, Tehlan had said that Rohit owned 99 percent of Rohit Bal Designs Pvt Ltd. out of which 1 percent belonged to Billa, his brother Rajiv Bal.

Tehlan said that most of the assets fall under the company, which needs two directors. He claimed that a 'major chunk' will come to him along with “movable and immovable assets, which includes his personal house, personal bank account, his fixed deposits.”

According to the report, Tehlan, who is a model and the founder of Alexander Jeans by Rohit Bal, also claimed that the designer gave his employees such as his “cook and driver a very generous amount for their long-standing services.” Rohit died in New Delhi on November 1, 2024, at the age of 63 from a cardiac-related issue.