Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai Photo: Getty Images Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai Photo: Getty Images

In a fresh controversy, the charitable trust that runs Mumbai's well-known Lilavati Hospital on Tuesday alleged a massive fund misappropriation of over Rs 1,500 crore by its former trustees and other related individuals.

According to PTI, separate complaints have been lodged with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Bandra Police Station by the Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical Trust (LKMMT).The Bandra Magistrate Court has ordered an inquiry against these very individuals, as per PTI.

Besides, a black magic angle has also surfaced where it has been claimed that black magic was performed inside the hospital premises by erstwhile trustees and related individuals. Elaborating on the black magic angle, LKMMT Permanent Resident Trustee Prashant Mehta said, "We have discovered more than seven urns with human hair and skulls."

What Are The Complaints?

As per PTI, the complaints alleged that the financial irregularities surfaced during a forensic audit of the financial records. The development has severely impacted the trust's operations and healthcare services as well.

According to Mehta, "We filed complaints which translated into FIRs due to the orders of the Bandra Magistrate Court. More than three FIRs have been filed against the former trustees and other related individuals. A fourth proceeding against these individuals is now pending before the Learned Magistrate which is based on our complaint filed in the Bandra Police Station for black magic and occult practices."

ED Summons BRS Leader KTR In Money Laundering Case Linked To Payments In Formula-E Race

BY PTI

eke777

"We are committed to upholding the integrity of the Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical Trust and ensuring that funds meant for healthcare services are used solely for the benefit of patients who rely on us daily",

"The gross misconduct and financial misappropriation uncovered during forensic audit is not just a betrayal of the trust placed in the alleged and fraudulent former trustees, but a direct threat to the very mission of our hospital," Mehta maintained.

He said LKMMT will ensure that every individual involved in these illegal activities is held accountable.

"We request the Enforcement Directorate to take swift and decisive action in investigating these financial crimes under the provisions of the PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act)," he stated.

Irregularities Dound In Audit

As per the official complaint, the gaping holes in financial management were allegedly identified by the present trustees which led to an extensive audit by Chetan Dalal Investigation and Management Services (CDIMS), and ADB and Associates.

Yechury was being monitored by a multi-disciplinary team of doctors at AIIMS, the party had said earlier this week, adding that he was admitted on August 19 for treatment of a pneumonia-like chest infection.

The auditors found large-scale irregularities, manipulation,66br Cassinos ao Vivo Brasil siphoning of funds in the affairs of LKMMT by its erstwhile trustees, Mehta claimed.

"We undertook audits and the forensic auditors have come up with more than five reports, which clearly states that more than Rs 1,500 crore has been siphoned and misappropriated by this illegal group of trustees. This money has been siphoned off by former trustees most of whom are NRIs and residents of Dubai and Belgium," he alleged.

Three Complaints Filed

On the basis of the findings of the forensic audit, the current trustee filed three complaints at the Bandra Police Station alleging forgery and misappropriation of funds.

After registration of FIRs, the case was transferred to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) which is carrying out an investigation.

Further, the third FIR at the Bandra Police Station alleged that Rs 1,200 crore was misappropriated by indulging into illegalities with third-party distributors in respect of procurements for the hospital.

In addition to these FIRs, Mehta said another case is under investigation in Gujarat in respect to theft of valuables from Lilavati Hospital's facility in the adjoining state.

The case, registered at the Bandra Police Station on December 30 last year on a complaint of the LKMMT, had been transferred to the EOW on orders of the magistrate's court, an official said.

The complaint was filed by one of the current trustees of the hospital after he found that between 2002 and 2023, the accused 'purported trustees' seized control of the trust by allegedly using fake documents, he said.

They unlawfully utilized Rs 85 crore for advocate fees for personal cases under the pretext of purchasing medical equipment and for personal expenses, the official said.

Based on the complaint, a case related to cheating and criminal breach of trust was registered at the Bandra Police Stationkknew1, he said.