Are Lilavati Trust's Allegations Against HDFC Bank's MD and CEO Justified?

Synopsis
HDFC Bank vehemently rejects the allegations from Lilavati Trust, claiming they are unfounded. The bank vows to defend its MD and CEO's reputation against these serious accusations, stating that the allegations aim to intimidate the institution during a long-standing recovery process.
Key Takeaways
- HDFC Bank firmly denies allegations from Lilavati Trust.
- Claims are described as baseless and malicious.
- Ongoing legal disputes involve substantial loan recovery.
- The bank is committed to protecting its MD and CEO's reputation.
- Trustee Prashant Mehta has faced multiple failed legal actions.
Mumbai, June 8 (NationPress) HDFC Bank has categorically refuted the claims made by the Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical Trust (LKMM Trust), which demanded the suspension and prosecution of the bank's Managing Director and CEO, Sashidhar Jagdishan, over alleged financial misconduct that the bank has labeled as baseless and malicious.
The bank asserts that it has secured comprehensive legal guidance in this matter and is prepared to uphold the integrity of its MD and CEO.
“The accusations made by the Lilavati Trust, its Trustees, and Officials against the Bank’s MD and CEO are completely false and damaging. These outrageous allegations are firmly and unequivocally denied,” the bank stated.
On Saturday, the Lilavati Trust, which manages a significant healthcare facility in Mumbai, called for the immediate suspension and prosecution of Jagdishan, alleging his involvement in a series of financial frauds affecting the Trust.
The claims against Jagdishan included an assertion that a former member of LKMM paid him Rs 2.05 crore to intimidate the father of a current member. The petitioners allege this transaction was documented in a handwritten diary, which has since been retrieved by current members.
An HDFC Bank representative clarified that this is a recovery case concerning a long-overdue loan.
“Trustee Prashant Mehta and his family owe significant sums to HDFC Bank that have never been repaid. Over the past two decades, the Bank has pursued recovery and enforcement actions, during which Prashant Mehta and his family have repeatedly initiated numerous frivolous legal claims,” the spokesperson further explained.
“Having consistently lost at all legal fronts, including the Supreme Court, they are now resorting to these recent personal attacks against the Bank’s MD & CEO with the sole aim of intimidating the Bank and preventing it from recovering all outstanding loans through lawful means,” the spokesperson added.
“The Bank remains confident that the judicial system will discern the fraudulent intentions and malicious aims of the Trustee and officials of the Lilavati Trust, who seek to tarnish the reputation of both the Bank and its MD and CEO,” the spokesperson concluded.