The Oberoi family, owners of the renowned Oberoi and Trident hotel chains, are facing internal conflict as a legal battle unfolds among siblings over control of the family business. The feud, centered on the family’s holdings in EIH Limited, the company that manages Oberoi Hotels and Resorts, has brought into public view another dispute among India’s prominent business families.
The latest family member to take legal action is Anastasia Oberoi, daughter of the late Prithviraj Singh Oberoi, former chairman of the Oberoi Group. The conflict has led Anastasia to approach the Delhi High Court with a petition to stay specific decisions tied to the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Disagreement Over the AGM Agenda
Anastasia Oberoi’s petition in court requests a halt on specific items on the AGM agenda. She seeks to pause the reappointments and new appointments within the board, which include her brother Vikramjit Singh Oberoi, her sister Natasha Oberoi, and her cousin Arjun Singh Oberoi. Anastasia claims her siblings have modified the AGM’s agenda, which now includes the retirement and re-appointment of board members—a move she did not approve.
Representing the Oberoi Group, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi argued against her petition, asserting that assurances were already made to reinstate Anastasia as a board member and that the legal petition was thus unnecessary. Rohatgi further argued that Anastasia’s claims were not substantial enough for consideration by the court, suggesting that the family dispute could be resolved without legal intervention.
The Crux of the Dispute: Control of Ancestral Assets
At the heart of this dispute is the ownership and control of EIH Limited. Anastasia has raised concerns over her siblings’ alleged interference in fulfilling their late father’s will, claiming that her siblings are obstructing her right to inherit a fair share of the Oberoi Group assets. This disagreement stems from the family’s extensive holdings in the luxury hotel industry, which spans across India and internationally through the iconic Oberoi and Trident hotel brands.
The Delhi High Court has previously issued an interim order that prohibits any transfer or sale of shares related to the group’s companies, including EIH Limited and Oberoi Properties, until the inheritance issues are settled. This order is aimed at protecting the family assets from any shifts in ownership amidst the ongoing legal tussle.
Third-Generation Feud Mirrors Other High-Profile Family Disputes
The Oberoi family’s conflict echoes similar feuds among other major business families in India, such as the Singhanias of Raymond Group and the Modis of Godfrey Phillips Group. These disputes often involve third-generation members vying for control over companies established by their ancestors. As family-owned businesses grow into multi-billion-dollar conglomerates, disagreements over succession and ownership rights have become more frequent, with courtrooms becoming the final arbitrators.
What’s Next for the Oberoi Family?
With an interim order in place, any decisions around share transfers and the AGM’s outcomes are effectively stalled until the Delhi High Court hears the full details of the case. If a resolution is not reached through family discussions, the future of the Oberoi Group’s control may be decided by the judiciary. For now, all eyes are on the Delhi High Court’s next move in this high-profile family feud that brings into focus the complexities of managing family-run empires in today’s corporate landscape.
