Former Lilavati Hospital trustee Chetan Mehta has approached the Bombay High Court seeking to quash an FIR linked to a ₹1,243 crore fraud. Learn about the ongoing legal battle, counter-allegations, and its implications for Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical Trust.

Ex-Lilavati Hospital Trustee Seeks High Court Relief in ₹1,243 Crore Fraud Case

Former Lilavati Hospital trustee Chetan Mehta has filed a petition in the Bombay High Court seeking dismissal of a First Information Report (FIR) filed against him for alleged misappropriation of ₹1,243 crore. The FIR was registered by Mumbai Police at the Bandra Police Station following a forensic audit.

Forensic Audit Uncovers Alleged Misconduct

The forensic audit, conducted by current trustee Prashant Mehta, reportedly identified financial irregularities within the Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical Trust. Based on the findings, the Magistrate Court directed the Bandra Police to register the FIR after initial inaction.

Chetan Mehta’s Legal Stand

Represented by lawyers Lakshmi Raman and Dhiren Shah, Mehta has challenged the FIR in court, arguing that the Magistrate’s order came prematurely—just 10 days after the complaint was filed—without waiting for a police inquiry report.

Mehta, a Belgium citizen with an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, was a trustee from 2007 to December 2023. He was removed following an order by the Charity Commissioner of Maharashtra.

Case Now Under Economic Offences Wing

The investigation has been transferred to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police. According to the plea, four additional FIRs have also been lodged against Mehta, all of which are being contested in court.

Counter-Allegations Against Prashant Mehta

In his petition, Mehta alleges that Prashant Mehta and his family, in collaboration with former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh, have orchestrated multiple FIRs to target him.

Mehta maintains that under his leadership, Lilavati Hospital thrived—fixed deposits reportedly rose from ₹200 crore to ₹500 crore, and substantial charitable initiatives were implemented.

The Legacy and Family Dispute

The Lilavati Hospital is managed by a trust established in 1978 by Kirtilal Mehta. His descendants, including Vijay Mehta, Prabodh Mehta, Kishore Mehta, Rashmi Mehta, and Rekha Sheth, were involved in its development.

Today, the dispute centers around the sons of Prabodh Mehta (Chetan) and Kishore Mehta (Prashant), resulting in a high-profile legal and family conflict over control of the trust.

Financial Stability and Damage to Reputation

Chetan Mehta’s petition asserts that Lilavati Hospital is financially stable with a consistent surplus, supported by audited financial records. He claims that the ongoing legal proceedings have tarnished his professional reputation and inflicted irreparable harm.

Current Status of the Case

A division bench led by Justice Sarang Kotwal briefly mentioned the plea before recusing himself. As of now, the case has not been scheduled for a hearing.