Mumbai Court Dismisses Summons in Alleged Black Magic Case Involving Lilavati Hospital

Mumbai, October 31 (Daily Kiran) : A significant ruling came from the Greater Mumbai Sessions Court regarding an alleged black magic case connected to Lilavati Hospital. The court annulled the summons issued against Niket Vijay Mehta, stating that the mere discovery of urns beneath a floor does not constitute a crime. The court emphasized that proving any criminal act requires establishing intent and other essential facts.

The decision was rendered by Additional Sessions Judge Kunal Dhanaji Jadhav on October 29, 2026, who approved Criminal Revision Application No. 01/2026. This ruling effectively overturned the summons issued by the Bandra 12th Court’s Judicial Magistrate on December 8, 2025. The final order was signed on October 30 and subsequently uploaded.

The complaint was filed by Prashant Mehta, who claimed to be a permanent trustee of the Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical Trust. Following a Supreme Court directive on September 18, 2023, he regained control of the trust after a protracted legal battle lasting nearly two decades. According to the complaint, eight copper urns were discovered under the floor of his office on September 21, 2024. Allegations arose that these urns contained human remains, rice, hair, and other supposed ritualistic materials.

Prashant Mehta accused Niket Mehta and six others, linked to the trust’s former management, of engaging in black magic with the intent to harm the trustees and gain supernatural powers. The other accused included Chetan Mehta, Rashmi Mehta, Bhavin Mehta, Sushil Mehta, Nimesh Sheth, and Ayushman Mehta.

A complaint was lodged with the Bandra police and vigilance officials on September 27, 2024. When no investigation was initiated, the complainant sought recourse under Section 175 of the Indian Citizen Security Code (BNSS) before a magistrate.

On February 7, 2025, the magistrate refused to order a police investigation but recorded the complainant’s verification statement. Subsequently, statements from two witnesses, civil contractor Kaluram Chitramal Saini and Vipul Dileep Chavda, were recorded on March 6 and 13, 2025. Based on these testimonies, summons were issued under various sections of the Maharashtra Prevention of Superstitious Practices Act, 2013.

Challenging the summons, Niket Mehta’s lawyer, Alaukik R. Pai, argued in the sessions court that the magistrate failed to follow the procedures outlined in Section 223 of the BNSS. The defense contended that the summons was issued without adequate consideration of the facts and judicial discretion.

Furthermore, the defense pointed out that the complaint did not specify the distinct roles of any accused individuals, suggesting an attempt to transform a civil dispute related to the trust into a criminal case. They also argued that proper procedures for investigation and seizure of relevant materials under the anti-black magic law were not followed.