Mumbai's prestigious Lilavati Hospital has found itself in a serious money laundering scandal of over Rs 1,500 crore. The Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical Trust (LKMMT), the trust which operates the hospital, has blamed its former trustees and people close to them of siphoning money through unauthorized transactions and mismanagement.

Financial Irregularities and Legal Actions:

The trust has officially filed complaints with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Bandra Police Station, resulting in several FIRs and a comprehensive investigation. A forensic audit, as per LKMMT, has unearthed extensive financial irregularities that have drastically affected the operations of the hospital and the quality of healthcare services.

Permanent Resident Trustee Prashant Mehta stated, "We initiated complaints which resulted in FIRs following directives from the Bandra Magistrate Court. Over three FIRs have been registered against former trustees, with an additional case pending before the Magistrate concerning allegations of black magic and occult practices."

Upon assuming control after a prolonged legal battle, the current trustees commissioned a forensic audit through Chetan Dalal Investigation and Management Services (CDIMS) and ADB & Associates. The audit revealed systemic financial manipulation, siphoning of funds, and unauthorized withdrawals by the past trustees, many of whom are non-resident Indians from Dubai and Belgium.

Important Forensic Audit Findings:

• Rs 1,200 crore reported to be diverted through illegal procurement transactions with third-party distributors.

• Rs 44 crore wrongly utilized on attorney fees in the name of acquiring medical equipment.

• Rs 11.52 crore transferred into entities such as Mayfair Realtors and Vesta India in the absence of documentation.

• Rs 500 crore tax claim against the hospital by the Income Tax Department.

• Further investigations in Gujarat over alleged theft of jewelry from the hospital's premises.

With several cases being probed, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has assumed investigation of fund misappropriation and financial misconduct.

Shocking Claims of Occult Rituals:

Aside from the issue of financial fraud, the scandal further deteriorated into allegations that black magic rituals were conducted inside the hospital grounds. According to reports, former employees revealed that occult practices were carried out in the office space of current trustee Prashant Mehta and his mother, Charu Mehta.

During an internal investigation, trustees discovered over seven urns containing human hair and skulls buried beneath the floors of the office. "These findings are deeply disturbing," Mehta remarked, adding that the trust had to approach the Bandra Magistrate when local police initially refused to register a case under Maharashtra’s anti-black magic law.

Additional Legal Battles:

Apart from the ongoing financial probe, another significant case involves an Rs 85 crore cheating complaint against three former trustees. The case, brought by a current trustee, claims that since 2002 to 2023, the accused illegally took over control of the trust through the use of fake documents. The investigations continued to unveil that the accused had embezzled funds meant for hospital functions to defray personal legal fees. The case is now under the jurisdiction of the EOW after instructions from the magistrate court.

Effect on Lilavati Hospital:

Lilavati Hospital is a top-of-the-line medical facility in Mumbai, treating thousands of patients every day. The revelations of financial irregularities have created doubts about the governance of the hospital and impacted its image.

"Misuse of funds has not only caused financial instability but has also put at risk the confidence our patients and donors have reposed in us," Mehta underscored. He appealed to the Enforcement Directorate to take serious steps under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for accountability and justice.

The new trustees have vowed to reestablish integrity in the organization, making sure that every resource is focused on patient care and hospital development alone.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Sai Sindhuja K/MSM)