Socialite Sheetal Mafatlal barges into mum’s bungalow, claims ownership

Famous for throwing ‘luxury’ parties, Page 3 socialite Sheetal Mafatlal is no stranger to controversies. Wife of industrialist Atulya Mafatlal, Sheetal has been involved in a legal battle with her husband’s company over some very expensive paintings.

But one battle was clearly not enough. The socialite has now picked up another fight, this time it’s with her 80-year-old mother Rajani Bhagat over tenancy rights to a Pali Hill bungalow.

As the divorce dispute between her sister Poonam Bhagat and her industrialist husband Jai Shroff continues, Sheetal, reportedly, arrived with her bouncers and forcibly entered the bungalow on Monday. The bouncers have since taken control of the property and control access to it.

The bungalow belongs to a company where both sisters have a share but her mother holds exclusive tenancy rights.

Sheetal has filed a suit in the Small Causes Court at Bandra, seeking tenancy rights to the 20,000 sq ft bungalow worth over Rs 100 crore, which was built by her father Manhar Bhagat, the founder of polyester filament yarn manufacturer Nirlon.

When questioned about the forceful possession, Sheetal responded by saying, “I was born and brought up here. I am an owner. And when I’m the owner, I don’t need to ‘barge into’ the house. My grandfather acquired the property in the ‘50s and I have lived here all my life. My sister Poonam and I are equal owners. It’s been my haven all my life and I have happy childhood memories of the house. The house is a memory of my late father, who did it up beautifully.”

The socialite is seeking an interim protective order to be in possession as a tenant and from being thrown out.