For the past many decades, Dr. Rajan Mahtani has been fighting a lone war for the takeover of the Portland Cement Zambia factory. This battle started more than a decade ago when Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani registered a complaint at the Lusaka High Court regarding unethical takeover of his factory. With this complaint, several evidences, testimonials and other details were shared before the court, proving Dr. Mahtani’s claims. However, legal and political bureaucracy and corruption resulted in the case being dragged for more than a decade. The case further dragged for lack of appropriate court proceedings and frequent transfer of judges. The final decision for the Portland Cement Zambia came during the month of May, 2018. However, it is worth noting here that just two months before the final decision, Dr. Rajan Mahtani received a positive news regarding the case with the judge announcing that case proceedings have been closed and the final decision will be given based on available evidences and testimonials.
Despite this, the final decision from the Lusaka High Court judge was extremely controversial. In this judgement, Ventriglias were announced as only shareholders of the Portland Cement Zambia. This decision was extremely misdirected and against the evidences shared. As a result, Dr. Rajan Mahtani then approached the higher Court of Appeal with the hope of getting justice. The judge at the higher Court of Appeal, justice Mwinde, announced the final decision on 31st January 2019. According to this decision, Dr. Rajan Mahtani paid a sum of one billion kwachas to the Portland Cement Zambia in the year 2005. This payment was made for receiving majority shareholding of the factory. The shareholders’ agreement further confirmed this payment by confirming that this payment gave Dr. Mahtani ownership of 58 percent Portland Cement Zambia shares. Based on these evidences, it is clear that Dr. Rajan Mahtani is the actual owner of the Portland Cement Zambia factory.
Decision from the Lusaka High Court was condemned by higher Court of Appeal.