New Delhi

The Supreme Court has moved a step closer to ending the prolonged legal battle involving the family of late real estate developer Ashok Varma by directing the implementation of a settlement reached through mediation over disputes linked to the Ardee Group and associated family assets.

A Bench comprising Justice J.K. Maheshwari and Justice Atul S. Chandurkar acknowledged the progress achieved through the court-supervised mediation process and instructed all parties to proceed with carrying out the terms of the agreement.

The dispute, which has been litigated across various forums for several years, largely centred on family-owned businesses, real estate holdings and other assets connected to the Ardee Group. The principal parties involved were Shefali Varma and Shibani Varma Kapur, daughters of the late Ashok Varma.

A significant breakthrough emerged through mediation facilitated by former Supreme Court judge Justice Kurian Joseph, who had been appointed by the apex court to help the family arrive at an amicable resolution.

Earlier this year, Justice Kurian Joseph submitted an interim report informing the Court that the parties had successfully settled the major issues between them. The report noted that a final and binding Memorandum of Settlement had been executed on February 5, 2026, during the mediation proceedings.

The mediator also indicated that additional time would be required to complete the broader settlement framework and implement the agreed terms. Taking note of this, the Supreme Court granted the parties more time and directed them to proceed with the execution of the settlement.

The development is being regarded as a major milestone in one of the most prominent family business disputes associated with the Ardee Group. The conflict had resulted in multiple legal proceedings and involved questions relating to ownership, succession, management and control of valuable assets built over decades.

According to the interim report, the mediation process succeeded in resolving the core disagreements between the parties, while efforts continued to address the remaining aspects necessary for a comprehensive and lasting settlement. The report also expressed optimism that the outstanding issues would be resolved with the cooperation of all stakeholders.

Although the Court has permitted implementation of the settlement, the matter remains under judicial supervision, suggesting that the execution process is still underway.

The dispute drew significant public and legal attention due to its connection with Ardee City, one of Gurugram's earliest integrated residential townships, as well as several high-value commercial and real estate assets owned by the Ardee Group. The mediation-led progress is therefore seen as an important step towards concluding years of acrimonious litigation.

Sources familiar with the matter indicated that the settlement provides for a division of family assets and business interests between Shefali Varma and Shibani Varma Kapur. According to these sources, Ardee Mall in Gurugram's Sector 52 has reportedly been allocated to Shefali Varma, while the remaining properties and land holdings are understood to have been shared equally between the two sisters.

However, the parties have not publicly commented on these details, and the specific provisions of the Memorandum of Settlement have not been disclosed publicly.

With the principal disputes now resolved through mediation and the Supreme Court overseeing implementation of the agreement, the parties appear closer than ever to bringing an end to a legal battle that has stretched on for more than two decades.

READ MORE: Syeda Saiyidin Hameed reached top positions despite her activism

The settlement is expected to bring clarity regarding the ownership and management of Ardee Group assets, paving the way for long-awaited closure to one of the country's notable family business disputes.