Supreme Court Refuses To Entertain HDFC Bank CEO’s Plea Against FIR in Lilavati Trust Dispute, Cites Pending Bombay HC Proceedings

Supreme Court Refuses To Entertain HDFC Bank CEO’s Plea Against FIR in Lilavati Trust Dispute, Cites Pending Bombay HC Proceedings

New Delhi | July 4, 2025 

The Supreme Court of India on Thursday declined to entertain a special leave petition (SLP) filed by HDFC Bank CEO Sashidhar Jagdishan, challenging an FIR registered against him in connection with an internal dispute involving the Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical Trust.

The Bench, comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy and Prashant Kumar Mishra, refused to interfere, noting that the matter is already under active consideration before the Bombay High Court. “We see no reason to entertain this plea under Article 136 at this stage,” the Bench stated, while granting liberty to the petitioner to pursue remedies before the High Court.

Background of the Dispute

The FIR was lodged amid an ongoing dispute between trustees of the Lilavati Hospital Trust, one of Mumbai’s most prominent private medical institutions. The allegations stem from a conflict over trust governance and alleged irregularities in banking transactions involving HDFC Bank and the Trust’s accounts.

Jagdishan, in his petition, sought to quash the FIR, asserting that his name had been wrongly implicated in a purely civil-commercial dispute between members of the Trust. He argued that there was no criminal intent or personal involvement in the operations that led to the registration of the FIR under Sections including 409 (criminal breach of trust) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC.

The petitioner further contended that his name was dragged into the controversy without following due process or providing an opportunity to be heard.

Supreme Court’s Observations

While refraining from issuing any observations on the merits of the allegations, the Supreme Court emphasized the need to allow the High Court to decide the matter at the appropriate stage. “Since the Bombay High Court is already seized of the matter, we are not inclined to entertain the petition at this juncture,” the Court said.

The decision reinforces the Supreme Court’s stand that it will not intervene when alternative judicial forums are already in motion unless there is an urgent or exceptional ground for intervention.

Next Legal Steps

With the apex court refusing to hear the matter, the onus now lies on Jagdishan and his legal team to pursue relief before the Bombay High Court, where a related petition seeking quashing of the FIR is pending.

Legal experts note that this development might also impact other senior banking officials or trustees who may be named in the matter as investigations progress.

Case Title: Sashidhar Jagdishan vs. State of Maharashtra & Ors.

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