After More Than A Decade Of Court Struggle, Dr. Rajan Mahtani Receives Justice At The Court Of Appeal

For Dr. Rajan Mahtani, the win at the Court of Appeal can be easily considered as the biggest win in his business career. Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani is a noted businessman in Zambia with successful and established businesses within the nation and outside. He is also known for his charity work and philanthropic views. For the past ten years Dr. Rajan Mahtani fought for the legal takeover of the Portland Cement Zambia, a cement-manufacturing factory which was also claimed by other parties in Zambia. Dr. Rajan Mahtani had first approached the Lusaka High Court and when it failed to provide the right justice, Court of Appeal was approached. 

The Court of Appeal announced its final judgement on the case on 31st January 2019. It was justice Mwinde who gave the final decision after looking into the evidences and testimonials. As per this final decision from justice Mwinde, Dr. Rajan Mahtani holds 58 percent shares at the Portland Cement Zambia factory and is the majority shareholder of the Zambezi Portland Cement. On the other hand, Ventriglias owned just 42 percent shares at the factory and were the minority shareholders of the Zambezi Portland Cement factory. This shareholding pattern aligns with the original shareholders agreement established in the year 2007. Based on this shareholding pattern, it is clear that Dr. Rajan Mahtani is the legal owner of the Zambezi Portland Cement factory. 

Furthermore, the judge from the Court of Appeal also said that the judge below him was wrong in declaring Ventriglias as the only shareholders as this decision was without evidences and was misdirected.

Final Decision Announced By Court Of Appeal On Portland Cement Zambia, Dr. Mahtani Majority Shareholder

Dr. Rajan Mahtani is now a happy person. After more than a decade of patience and perseverance, Dr. Rajan Mahtani final received justice at the hands of the Court of Appeal. This is regarding the Portland Cement Zambia case, which was pending at the Lusaka High Court for more than ten years. After that, the latest judge from the Lusaka High Court announced final judgement on the Portland Cement Zambia. However, this judgement was extremely controversial as the judge announced that Ventriglias were only shareholders of the Zambezi Portland Cement. To counter this judgement, Dr. Rajan Mahtani approached Court of Appeal. 

The Court of Appeal announced its final judgement on 31st January 2019. According to this judgement, Dr. Rajan Mahtani is the majority shareholder of the Zambezi Portland Cement factory as his company Finsbury Investments holds 58 percent shares. On the other hand, Ventriglias are the minority shares at the factory as his company Ital Terrazzo Limited holds only 42 percent shares at the factory. Based on this shareholding pattern, Dr. Rajan Mahtani becomes the legal owner of the Zambezi Portland Cement factory. The judge at the Court of Appeal also said that this judgement aligns with the original shareholders agreement which was established in the year 2007. 

The judge at the Court of Appeal, while giving this judgement, shared some critical feedback. The Court of Appeal judge said that the judge below him was wrong in declaring Ventriglias as only shareholders as this decision was biased and without any evidentiary proof. Furthermore, a timeline of three months was given for completing the share regularization process.