SC to hear HDFC Bank CEO'S plea to quash Lilavati FIR today

The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to take up on July 4 a petition filed by HDFC Bank’s managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) Sashidhar Jagdishan seeking quashing of a first information report (FIR) registered against him for alleged cheating and criminal breach of trust.

- Utkarsh Anand

The case, initiated on the complaint of Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical Trust, accuses Jagdishan of accepting 2.05 crore in bribes to aid a group's illegal control over the governance of the Trust.

‘A bench comprising Justices MM Sundresh and K Vinod Chandran took note of a mention made by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who sought urgent hearing and interim protection from coercive action against Jagdishan. “The matter is already directed to be listed for tomorrow,” the bench said.

Calling the FIR “frivolous”, Rohatgi informed the court that at least five judges of the Bombay High Court had recused themselves from hearing the petition filed by Jagdishan to quash the FIR. “I am pressing for a no-coercive action order,” submitted Rohatgi, flagging the delay in hearing before the High Court and its adverse implications for his client.

The matter comes amid mounting litigation over the functioning and control of the Lilavati Trust, which manages the renowned Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai's Bandra.

Earlier this week, the Bombay High Court refused to expedite Jagdishan’s petition, rejecting the urgency plea. On June 30, a division bench said there was “no urgency” and listed the case for regular hearing on July 14.