Labour Minister Sabir Sheikh and three other trustees today categorically denied the allegation, saying they were merely administering the actor-producer's legacy guided by his will. Vijay, who has staked claim to Kondke's assets, recently alleged that the trust, and Sheikh in particular, had been using unfair means to wrest control of Kondke's legacy.

Addressing a press conference at Mantralaya this evening along with the other trustees including Gajanan Shirke, Dr Anil Wakankar and Vasant Bhalekar, Sheikh said Kondke's will specifically mentioned that Vijay should not be given anything, either in cash or kind. He also said it was Kondke's wish that such a trust be formed to look after his business and take care of his massive property and two film studios. None ofthe trustees are interested in the legacy, the minister said.

The actor died at his Mumbai residence on March 14, 1998, after preparing a will in January which he kept with his lawyer Eknath Javir. As per instructions, Sheikh went to Ingavali village in Bhor district to erect a board barring trespassers but found the lock on the door broken and the manager missing, he said.

Someone had rifled through a cupboard in the house and some of its contents were missing. ``We immediately lodged a complaint and we suspect that Vijay must have got it done. The manager, Kisan Baandal, told us that Vijay threatened him with dire consequences and forced him to vacate some time in April,'' Shirke said.

He said the trust has submitted an application to the Pune district court for a certificate permitting it to administer the property as per the will. The will decrees that the trust start educational institutes, hostels, dispensaries in Maharashtra's villages and promote welfare activities for artistes.

Sheikh saidthe trust will soon file a defamation suit against Vijay for maligning the trustees, who also include actress Usha Chavan, whom Kondke featured as the heroine in each of his films. The trust will also complete the dubbing of Chhitthi Aai Hain, a Hindi film the actor was making, and release the same, Sheikh said.