$~27 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + TEST.CAS. 51/2022 URMILA LANBA & ANR. .....Petitioners Through: Mr. Amarjit Singh Bedi & Ms. Riya Seth, Advocates.

versus STATE OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS. .....Respondents Through: Ms. Pavitra Kaur & Ms. Shreya Mishra, Advocates for R-1.

Mr. S. Santanam Swaminadham, Mr. Kartik Malhotra, Ms. Abhilasha Shrawat, Ms. Shiwani Chaudhary &

Mr. Sadab Khan, Advocates for R-2.

Mr. Ishan Dewan, Mr. V. Siddharth & Ms. Harshita Singh, Advocates for R-

4.

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AMIT BANSAL

O R D E R

% 16.12.2025

1. The matter is listed for framing of issues.

2. Based on the pleadings of the parties, the following issues are framed in the suit:

i. Whether Late M.M. Thapar died leaving behind a validly executed last Will dated 18^th November, 2006? OPP ii. Whether Late M.M. Thapar died leaving behind a validly executed codicil dated 4^th August, 2011? OPP iii. Whether the last valid Will dated 18^th November, 2006 and codicil dated 4^th August, 2011 are surrounded by suspicious circumstances? OPR iv. Any other relief.

3. No other issue arises or is pressed for.

4. The parties shall file their respective list of witnesses within four (4)

weeks from today.

5. The petitioners shall file evidence of their witnesses by way of affidavits within four (4) weeks from today.

6. Counsel for the petitioners submits that a Local Commissioner may be appointed to record evidence in this case.

7. Accordingly, Ms. Santosh Snehi Mann (Retd. ADJ) (Mobile No.: +9910384743) is appointed as a Local Commissioner for recording of evidence. The following directions are passed in this regard:

a. The fees of the Local Commissioner is fixed at Rs. 15,000 per hearing per hour, which shall be borne by the petitioners to be recovered from the estate of the deceased.

b. The evidence will be recorded by the Local Commissioner within the High Court precincts.

c. No hearing fee shall be payable on the dates when the matter is simplicitor adjourned on joint request, subject to parties duly informing the Local Commissioner at least 24 hours in advance; or else the session fees will be payable by the party seeking adjournment.

d. The Local Commissioner shall record the evidence in strict compliance with the Guidelines approved on 1^st July, 2024. The Registry is directed to send the present order along with a copy of the aforesaid Guidelines to the Local Commissioner via email for information, besides a hard copy of the present order to be supplied to her through the petitioners’/ respondents’ counsel. The Registry shall also provide the file of the suit to the Local Commissioner.

e. The Local Commissioner is requested to complete the recording of evidence in the suit within four (4) months from the date the Local Commissioner holds the first session.

f. Counsel for the parties shall approach the Local Commissioner within four (4) weeks from today for fixing dates for recording of evidence.

g. The attendant costs of each hearing, i.e. venue and stenographer will also be borne by the petitioners.

8. The parties shall provide full assistance to the Local Commissioner for recording of evidence.

9. List before the Joint Registrar on 5^th August, 2026.

AMIT BANSAL, J DECEMBER 16, 2025 at