Ardee Group Family Dispute: Supreme Court Proposes Senior Advocate Uttara Babbar As Commissioner To Implement Settlement

The Supreme Court has taken another step towards implementing a settlement reached in the long-running family dispute involving the Ardee Group and members of the family of late real estate developer Ashok Varma.

A Bench of Justices MM Sundresh and Prasanna B. Varale on September 23, 2026 proposed the appointment of senior advocate Uttara Babbar as an Advocate Commissioner to assist in implementing the terms of the settlement.

The Court directed the parties to ascertain whether Babbar was willing to undertake the assignment, particularly in relation to Clause 8 of the Memorandum of Settlement dated February 5, 2026. The matter is scheduled to be considered along with the main proceedings on October 6.

The present proceedings arise from the implementation of a settlement already reached between the parties, rather than a fresh adjudication of their competing claims over the family assets.

Settlement Reached Through Mediation

The dispute primarily involves Shefali Varma and Shibani Varma Kapur, daughters of late Ashok Varma, and concerns business interests, real estate properties and other assets associated with the Ardee Group.

After years of litigation, the Supreme Court had facilitated mediation by appointing former Supreme Court judge Justice Kurian Joseph to assist the parties in resolving their disputes.

In proceedings earlier this year, Justice Kurian Joseph informed the Court that the parties had succeeded in resolving their major disputes. A final and binding Memorandum of Settlement was executed on February 5, 2026.

The mediator, however, indicated that additional time would be required to work out the modalities for implementing the settlement.

In June 2026, a Bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Atul S. Chandurkar took note of the progress and directed the parties to proceed with implementation of the mediated settlement.

Division of Family Assets

Reportedly, the settlement provides for a division of various properties and assets between the two sisters. Shefali Varma is to receive Ardee Mall, along with the Gopal Das and Vijaya buildings and associated lands, while Shibani Varma Kapur is to receive specified parcels of land under the agreed arrangement.

The precise terms of the settlement have not been comprehensively placed in the public domain. The property allocation reported in connection with the settlement represents the agreed arrangement between the parties and is not a finding independently made by the Supreme Court.

Pending Implementation

Despite the settlement, certain aspects of its implementation remain to be completed. The Supreme Court's latest proposal to appoint an Advocate Commissioner is aimed at facilitating that process.

The Court has also noted that another Advocate Commissioner has already undertaken part of the implementation exercise. The proposed appointment of Babbar is subject to her willingness to accept the assignment.

The dispute has involved litigation across different forums over the years, including proceedings arising from an FIR registered against Yadur Kapur by the State of Haryana following a September 22, 2025 judgment of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Supreme Court's latest intervention aims to give effect to the settlement voluntarily arrived at through the court-monitored mediation process and resolving the remaining practical issues required to bring the prolonged family dispute to a close.