HC Allows Lilavati Trustee Rajesh Mehta To Travel Abroad On Rs 7.5 Crore Deposit
The Bombay High Court in Mumbai on Thursday permitted Lilavati Hospital trustee Rajesh Mehta to travel abroad for 120 days, on the condition that he deposits an additional ₹7.5 crore as security. Mehta is currently facing recovery proceedings initiated by HDFC Bank over an alleged debt of more than ₹67 crore.
A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Ravindra V Ghuge and Justice Shyam C Chandak observed that Mehta has sufficient roots, purpose, and work in India that would require his return. The bench noted that the bank had not demonstrated any serious apprehension against his travel plans.
Mehta is one of the recovery certificate debtors in an ongoing proceeding pending before the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT). HDFC Bank is seeking to recover ₹147.45 crore with interest from Mehta and other individuals.
In his petition to the Bombay High Court, Mehta challenged the orders passed by the DRT and the Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunal (DRAT) in February and April 2025 respectively, which had refused to halt the recovery proceedings against him.
Represented by senior advocate Aspi Chinoy and advocate John Joel Carlos, Mehta had originally requested permission to travel abroad for one year. He cited personal reasons, such as spending time with his mother and grandchildren, as well as professional commitments related to the proposed expansion of Lilavati Hospital and other facilities. Mehta also expressed his willingness to deposit ₹7.5 crore in court to secure the permission.
HDFC Bank opposed the petition, arguing that a large loan amount with interest remains recoverable from Mehta. The bank contended that his reasons for travelling abroad were not justifiable or supported by specific details.
The court noted that Mehta had previously been allowed to travel abroad and had complied with all imposed conditions. However, the bench pointed out that the recovery amount with interest against Mehta has now reached approximately ₹67 crore. The court stated that if Mehta is no longer connected with the trust and the hospital, as the bank claimed, it could not be said with conviction that he would return to India.
To balance the equities, the court directed Mehta to deposit ₹7.5 crore as security before his travel. He must also submit his detailed itinerary and contact information to the court before departing.
