Dr. Rajan Mahtani Remains The Legal Owner Of The Portland Cement Despite Claim By Ventriglias

For many years, Dr. Rajan Mahtani has been contributing to the educational sector of Zambia. This contribution included the establishment of ‘The Steven Malama Award’ which is given to the top law student from Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal education, every year. The winner for the year 2018-19 was Emmanuel Bwalya Kaluba who wrote an article in appreciation for the efforts by Dr. Rajan Mahtani. This letter was later published at the ‘Reading Forum’ of the Daily mail, praising for his contribution which not only included a prestigious plaque, but also a sum of K18,500 to the winner which is a significant amount for strengthening the career and future education of the winner.

The second major news which Dr. Rajan Mahtani received this year was the surprising challenge by the Ventriglia family at the Supreme Court. The case of Zambezi Portland Cement was closed on 31st January 2019 when Dr. Rajan Mahtani received majority shareholding and legal ownership of Portland Cement Zambia from judge Mwinde on behalf of the higher Court of Appeal. This verdict was definitive and final as it was based on the actual evidences and also the previous decision from the Lusaka High Court on the same case was rejected effectively. After more than 1.5 years of this Court of Appeal’s decision, it was challenged by the Ventriglia family for reversal. To evaluate the validity of this appeal, a bench of three judges was established at the Supreme Court. This bench came to the conclusion that the appeal by the Ventriglia family is not viable as they failed to submit their claim within 14 days of the decision from the court of Appeal. This automatically makes the appeal by the Ventriglia family invalid. Furthermore, the bench also said that the circumstances under which the claim was made by the Ventriglia family was suspicious and therefore, was effectively rejected.

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