Mumbai: Financial Scam and Black Magic Allegations Rock Lilavati Hospital Trust

Mumbai, 13th March 2025: The Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical Trust, which oversees Mumbai’s renowned Lilavati Hospital, has lodged complaints with the Enforcement Directorate and Bandra Police Station, alleging financial misappropriation exceeding ₹1,500 crore by former trustees and associated individuals.

The trust also claims that black magic rituals were performed within the hospital premises, with these allegations surfacing after a forensic audit of the institution’s financial records. Multiple FIRs have been registered against former trustees following directives from the Bandra Magistrate Court, citing financial misconduct and alleged occult activities.

“We submitted complaints that led to FIRs based on the Bandra Magistrate Court’s orders. More than three FIRs have been registered against former trustees and their associates. Additionally, a fourth case, about black magic and occult practices, is pending before the Magistrate following our complaint to the Bandra Police Station,” stated Prashant Mehta, the Permanent Resident Trustee of the trust.

He emphasized the trust’s commitment to maintaining financial integrity and ensuring that hospital funds serve their intended purpose—providing medical care to patients. “The forensic audit has uncovered severe financial irregularities, revealing not only a breach of trust by the accused individuals but also a direct threat to the hospital’s mission,” Mehta added.

According to a PTI report, the current trustees initiated a forensic audit after regaining control of the trust following a prolonged legal dispute. Chetan Dalal Investigation and Management Services, along with ADB and Associates, were appointed as forensic auditors.

“The forensic reports indicate that over ₹1,500 crore has been siphoned off by this unauthorized group of trustees, many of whom are non-resident Indians (NRIs) living in Dubai and Belgium,” Mehta alleged.

The trust has filed three separate complaints with the Bandra Police Station regarding fund embezzlement and document forgery. These cases have now been handed over to the Economic Offences Wing for further investigation. One of the FIRs specifically alleges that ₹1,200 crore was misappropriated through unauthorized dealings with third-party distributors involved in hospital procurement.

Additionally, a separate case is being investigated in Gujarat regarding the theft of valuables from one of the trust’s facilities.

Regarding the allegations of black magic, Mehta stated, “We have discovered more than seven urns containing human hair and skulls within the hospital premises.”

Meanwhile, Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing has launched an investigation into an ₹85 crore fraud case involving three former trustees. The complaint, registered on December 30 last year, claims that between 2002 and 2023, the accused individuals used fraudulent documents to take control of the trust and diverted ₹85 crore towards personal legal expenses under the pretense of purchasing medical equipment.

In light of these findings, Mehta has urged the Enforcement Directorate to examine these financial irregularities under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

The trust has reaffirmed its commitment to holding those responsible accountable and ensuring that healthcare funds are utilized solely for the welfare of patients.