The directions were given after Madhu, mother of producer Goldie Behl, approached the court seeking anticipatory bail. Hemalata, a popular playback singer in the 1970s, had lodged a complaint with the suburban Oshiwara police alleging that Madhu had cheated her of Rs 30 lakh in a deal over a 3000 sq feet bungalow.
According to the complaint, despite making a token payment of Rs 30 lakh out of the total 2.5 crore in 2008, Madhu sold the property to another party and refused to return Hemalata's token amount. "When I asked Madhu to return my Rs 30 lakh, she refused stating that the money stood forfeited," Hemalata said in the complaint.
Madhu's lawyer Junaid Shabwany today told the court that she is ready to pay the complainant Rs 30 lakh within two weeks.
"It is a civil dispute that has been given a criminal color. Madhu decided to sell the plot to another party as Hemlata had backed off from buying it," Shabwany told the court.
While granting Madhu interim relief, the court directed her to return the money to Hemalata by November 30 failing which the court would take action.
Published 15 November 2010, 14:22 IST