Mumbai Court Quashes Summons in Lilavati Hospital Black Magic Case
- The Greater Mumbai Sessions Court quashed summons against Niket Mehta.
- Judge Kunal Dhanaji Jadhav ruled that finding buried ritual pots is not a crime.
- The court found no forensic evidence linking the buried items to illegal activities.
- Prashant Mehta had accused former management of using black magic rituals.
- The judge suggested the complaint is an extension of ongoing trust litigation.
The Greater Mumbai Sessions Court located in Mazgaon set aside the summons that had been issued to Niket Vijay Mehta. Additional Sessions Judge Kunal Dhanaji Jadhav granted permission for Criminal Revision Application No. 01 of 2026, overturning the order issued on 8 December 2025 by the Judicial Magistrate First Class of the 12th Court in Bandra, Mumbai.
The court determined that the magistrate's order to summon was legally untenable and did not possess adequate justification to move forward.
Judge finds no evidence of criminal intent in ritual pots
Judge Jadhav noted that the complaint failed to specify who had buried the pots, the timing of the burial, or whose directions led to their placement. No specific role was attributed to the applicants in the complaint filed regarding the ritual items.
The court emphasized that no forensic proof was presented to determine if the bones found were human or if the hair and other substances were connected to any illegal activity.
The judge commented that interring ritual pots filled with rice, holy water, coins, or similar items may be included in traditional Hindu customs linked to Vastu and religious rites. These customs cannot be automatically classified as criminal offenses absent proof of illegal behavior or intent to inflict harm, deceit, or intimidation.
Prashant Mehta’s allegations of occult practices
He alleged that eight copper pots were discovered beneath his cabin floor on 21 September 2024. The finding emerged after he assumed control of the trust's administration pursuant to a Supreme Court order dated 18 September 2023.
According to reports, the pots held rice, hair, ash, and additional substances believed to be linked to black‑magic rituals. Prashant Mehta charged former administrators, among them Niket Mehta and six additional individuals, with carrying out these rites to obtain supernatural favor and to damage the trustees. He alleged the former trustees engaged in "evil and sinister practices" to maintain control over the trust and cause injury to its administrators.
The magistrate heard from two witnesses who recounted discovering eight tiny pots filled with ash, rice, and hair. Neither witness mentioned finding human remains or bones during their examination.
Court links complaint to long-standing trust litigation
Additional Sessions Judge Kunal Dhanaji Jadhav decided that the complaint did not present prima facie proof connecting Chetan Mehta, Nimesh Sheth, and Ayushman Mehta to the purported black‑magic activities. The judge stated that there is no evidence that Chetan Mehta personally buried the pots or directed anyone to do so.
The court also addressed claims that the rituals negatively impacted Prashant Mehta’s health. It found no evidence linking his health issues to the buried items and noted no proof of whether his health declined before or after the pots were uncovered.
Judge Jadhav cited a protracted conflict concerning the administration of Lilavati Hospital, observing that opposing groups have been engaged in litigation for several years. The current trustees took over after a Supreme Court order in September 2023, and the allegations surfaced subsequent to that managerial shift. The judge stated that the complaint appears to be an extension of the trust’s litigation.
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