The Trust that runs Mumbai's prestigious Lilavati Hospital has alleged that funds to the tune of Rs 1,200 crore has been siphoned off by its former trustees. The Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical Trust claims the total amount misappropriated, spread over the years, is around Rs 2,100 crore. The first FIR was filed in July 2024, but allegations of embezzlement date back to 2001. The hospital has even gone to court to recover the funds.
On March 7, the Trust filed a fresh complaint with the Bandra police and a formal one with the Enforcement Directorate, alleging that the lack of funds has affected the services provided to thousands of patients at the hospital each day.
Parambir Singh - former Commissioner of Mumbai Police and now the Lilavati Hospital's Executive Director -- told reporters today that the trustees allegedly responsible are in Belgium and Dubai.
There are also allegations that the former trustees had performed witchcraft.
Mr Singh said eight urns containing human remains - bones and hair - were found under the flooring of the trustee's office. The articles were sealed and sent to police as evidence.
Fresh Cases Filed After Forensic Audit
Though the court case has been on for years, the financial irregularities were confirmed during an audit check of the trust, initiated by a new team of trustees after they came in.
The forensic audit revealed huge irregularities, financial fraud and misuse of funds by the former trustee of the trust.
"This is the biggest scam ever in the medical sector. No one has ever conducted such a big scam in the medical sector," a source said.
The allegations against the former trustees include large-scale fund siphoning, illegal financial transactions, fraudulent investments, and kickbacks.
The fresh FIR, registered on March 7, provides new details on the ongoing investigation.
Another case is under investigation where theft of valuables took place from Lilavati Hospital's Gujarat facility. In addition, there are claims of over Rs 500 crore filed by the IT department in the High Court for fraudulent expenses by the former trustees, the hospital conveyed in a statement.
What the Trust said
"The gross misconduct and financial misappropriation uncovered during the 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. We will ensure that every individual involved in these illegal activities is held accountable, and we request the Enforcement Directorate to take swift and decisive action in investigating these financial crimes under the provisions of the PMLA," Permanent Resident Trustee Prashant Mehta said in the statement released by the hospital.
