This saga unfolds like an intricate family epic, blending elements of power, betrayal, and legal wrangling, stretching across decades and continents. Lilavati Hospital, a symbol of both medical excellence and high society prestige, now finds itself entangled in allegations that seem ripped from a crime novel — accusations of embezzlement, offshore accounts, family betrayals, black magic, and antique gold theft.
At the heart of the controversy lies the Mehta family, a dynasty rooted in the diamond trade, whose internal disputes have escalated into public courtroom battles. The family’s legacy, once defined by business acumen and philanthropic contributions, is now overshadowed by criminal investigations and bitter feuds.
The story traces back to Kirtilal Mehta, a pioneering diamond merchant who built his empire from Tel Aviv to Belgium, establishing the Gembel Group, which became a cornerstone of the international diamond market. Lilavati Hospital, founded in his family's name, became a beacon of healthcare for Mumbai’s elite. But behind the charitable façade, the family's unity began to fracture, fueled by rivalries over control of the hospital’s lucrative operations.
The latest allegations stem from a forensic audit commissioned under Prashant Mehta, the current permanent trustee, who uncovered discrepancies suggesting a staggering Rs 1,250 crore had been siphoned off over 20 years. The accused include former trustees, vendors, and equipment suppliers, with claims of inflated contracts, unauthorized transactions, and diversion of funds into offshore accounts.
The HSBC Swiss leaks from 2015 added another layer of intrigue, exposing Rashmi Mehta and his son Bhavin — family members now embroiled in the hospital scandal — as holders of multi-million-dollar accounts linked to shell companies. The revelations hinted at a labyrinthine financial network stretching from Mumbai to Switzerland, raising questions about whether hospital funds were funneled into these accounts.
But perhaps the most bizarre twist emerged with accusations of 'black magic' rituals allegedly performed in the office of Prashant Mehta, a claim that echoes the family's increasingly hostile and unconventional infighting.
The drama deepens with the theft of Rs 45 crore worth of antique gold and silver ornaments from the family's ancestral home, Mani Bhuvan, in Gujarat. The missing artifacts said to have belonged to the royal family of Baroda, were stored in a concealed vault — a relic of the family’s storied past. When Prashant discovered the valuables missing, he accused his own relatives, escalating the feud to the Gujarat High Court.
The Mehta family’s internal war dates back to 2006 when accusations of forged signatures first surfaced. Vijay Mehta, once a central figure, faced claims that his appointment as a permanent trustee was based on fraudulent documents. This kicked off a decade-long legal battle that culminated in a Supreme Court decision, recognizing Prashant Mehta as the rightful permanent trustee.
Yet, victory hasn’t brought peace. The family's factions remain locked in disputes over the hospital's governance and finances, with multiple cases pending across Mumbai’s courts. Meanwhile, the Income Tax Department is reportedly investigating Rs 500 crore in alleged unpaid taxes linked to the former trustees, threatening further legal and financial fallout.
For a hospital that has long catered to Bollywood’s biggest stars — from Amitabh Bachchan to Salman Khan — the scandal risks tarnishing its elite image. Patients and celebrities alike may begin to question whether the institution's management, mired in allegations of fraud and misconduct, can still uphold its reputation for world-class care.
The Lilavati controversy stands as a cautionary tale of how family legacies, no matter how grand, can unravel when power struggles, money, and betrayal take hold. Whether justice prevails or the saga takes another twist, this story is far from over.
