Chetan Mehta denies role in HDFC Bank CEO Jagdishan’s appointment as Lilavati trust adviser: Lawyer

Chetan Mehta has denied any role in the appointment of Sashidhar Jagdishan, HDFC Bank’s current CEO, as an adviser to Lilavati Trust, as per a statement from his lawyer.

“My Client, Mr. Chetan Mehta has never set sight on the purported letter (of appointment) allegedly signed by late Rekha Sheth nor does he have any knowledge of its existence. In fact, my Client, Mr. Chetan Mehta totally denies any appointment of HDFC Bank CEO Shashidhar Jagdishan as the Financial Advisor to the Lilavati Trust,” said a statement from Simran Singh, advocate, Sakura Advisory.

On 10 July, the Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical Trust claimed Jagdishan was appointed as a financial adviser to the trust in a ‘covert’ manner by Chetan Mehta in collaboration with Rekha Sheth, who were described as purported trustees. It claimed this was done without knowledge, consent or ratification of its permanent trustees Kishor Mehta and Charu Kishor Mehta. It also furnished concealed appointment letter dated 2 February 2022 to support its contention.


On June 7 the Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical Trust made allegations against HDFC Bank’s managing director and chief executive officer Sashidhar Jagdishan claiming he had acted on the behest of former trustees.

Chetan Mehta is a descendant of Kirtilal Manilal Mehta and became a trustee of the hospital in 2007. He is fighting in court claiming his legitimacy as a trustee of the hospital.

“We have no knowledge of the existence of such letter and we believe that the letter could be fabricated. A forensic check ought to be undertaken,” said the statement from Chetan Mehta’s lawyer.