Massive Embezzlement Allegations Against Lilavati Hospital Trustees

The Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical Trust has accused former trustees of embezzling Rs 1,200 crore, potentially totaling Rs 2,100 crore over the years. Allegations include witchcraft, significant fraud, and misuse of funds discovered through a forensic audit. The Trust seeks swift action from the Enforcement Directorate to address these issues, which have diminished hospital services.

The Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical Trust, which manages Mumbai’s esteemed Lilavati Hospital, has accused former trustees of embezzling approximately Rs 1,200 crore. The Trust claims that the total misappropriated amount over the years may reach around Rs 2,100 crore. An FIR was initially filed in July 2024, while legal proceedings began as early as 2001 to recover the misallocated funds.

On March 7, the Trust lodged a new complaint with the Bandra police and the Enforcement Directorate, asserting that the financial losses have adversely affected the services offered to thousands of patients daily. Parambir Singh, the former Commissioner of Mumbai Police and current Executive Director of Lilavati Hospital, noted that the alleged perpetrators reside in Belgium and Dubai.

Additional allegations suggest that the former trustees engaged in witchcraft, with eight urns containing human remains discovered beneath the flooring in the trustee’s office. These items have been secured as evidence for the ongoing investigation.

Although the legal battle has persisted for over two decades, a recent forensic audit, initiated by a new team of trustees, revealed alarming financial irregularities, validating suspicions of fraud and misuse of Trust funds. A source emphasized, “This is the biggest scam ever in the medical sector.”

The complaints against the former trustees extend to considerable fund misappropriation, illicit financial activities, and fraudulent investments. The newly registered FIR, filed on March 7, provides further details on the contentious investigation, which also includes inquiries into the theft of valuables from Lilavati Hospital’s Gujarat facility.

Furthermore, the Income Tax department has presented claims exceeding Rs 500 crore in the High Court, pertaining to fraudulent expenditures by the former trustees. Permanent Resident Trustee Prashant Mehta stated that the discovered misconduct poses a significant threat to the institution’s mission, vowing accountability for all individuals implicated in these illegal actions and urging the Enforcement Directorate to expedite investigations under PMLA provisions.

The allegations surrounding the Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical Trust underscore significant issues of financial misconduct and misappropriation of funds by its former trustees. Through renewed legal action and forensic audits, the Trust seeks to recover lost assets and restore faith in its operations. This situation reflects urgent financial accountability and transparency in the healthcare sector, highlighting severe implications for hospital services and patient care.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com