Fortis Hospital Founder's Wife Faces FIR for Alleged Forgery and Breach of Trust
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Delhi Police has registered a significant First Information Report (FIR) against Aditi Singh, the wife of Fortis Hospital founder Shivinder Mohan Singh. The case involves serious allegations of criminal breach of trust, forgery, and conspiracy, with estimated assets valued at over Rs 500 crore.
Complaint Filed by Co-founder's Wife
The FIR was initiated based on a complaint lodged by Japna Singh, the wife of Fortis Hospital co-founder Malvinder Mohan Singh. Japna Singh has accused Aditi Singh, Shivinder Singh, and other members of the executive committee of the Flt Lt Rajan Dhall Charitable Society, which operates the Fortis Hospital in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi.
According to the complaint, Japna Singh and several other legitimate members were unlawfully removed from the society. This was allegedly achieved through the use of forged resignation letters and manipulated records, enabling a group of office-bearers to consolidate control over the society and its valuable assets.
Allegations of Document Falsification and Misconduct
The FIR details multiple allegations of document falsification. Key records, including membership registers, minutes of meetings, and filings submitted to the Registrar of Societies, were reportedly tampered with to exclude certain members while retaining those associated with the accused.
Further accusations highlight governance irregularities, such as the conduct of an annual general meeting in May 2024 at a residential address deemed unsuitable for such proceedings. Additionally, meeting notices were falsely indicated as having been delivered across multiple cities on the same day, raising questions about procedural integrity.
Forensic Audit Reveals Discrepancies
The complaint relies heavily on a forensic audit report titled Project Prism, prepared by Pipara & Co LLP. This audit points to several discrepancies in the society's governance records, income tax filings, and financial transactions.
Key findings from the audit include:
- A six-year gap in meeting records between 2018 and 2024.
- Missing minutes of annual general meetings.
- Irregular appointments of office-bearers.
- Contradictory disclosures regarding the treasurer's position.
The FIR also alleges unauthorised transactions and potential diversion of funds, necessitating a thorough examination of the society's bank accounts and financial trail. These alleged offences are said to have commenced from February 2024 onwards.
Background of Legal Battles
This FIR adds another chapter to the long-standing legal disputes involving the Singh brothers, Malvinder and Shivinder, over control and alleged financial mismanagement at Fortis Healthcare. Once prominent figures in India's healthcare sector, the siblings have been entangled in numerous civil and criminal proceedings in recent years.
These cases have involved allegations of fund diversion and conflicts with lenders and regulators, even as Fortis Healthcare itself has undergone changes in ownership. The current FIR underscores the ongoing complexities within the organization's governance structure.
Society's Financial Significance
The Flt Lt Rajan Dhall Charitable Society, at the center of this controversy, operates the Fortis Flt Lt Rajan Dhall Hospital in Vasant Kunj. It is reported to generate an annual revenue of approximately Rs 30 crore from hospital operations, highlighting the substantial financial stakes involved in the case.
Legal Framework and Investigation
The FIR has been registered under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including:
- Section 409: Criminal breach of trust.
- Section 467: Forgery of valuable securities, wills, or authority documents.
- Section 468: Forgery committed for the purpose of cheating.
- Section 471: Fraudulent or dishonest use of a forged document.
- Section 120B: Criminal conspiracy.
The Economic Offences Wing will conduct further investigations into these allegations. Officials at Fortis Healthcare have declined to comment on the matter, maintaining a stance of non-involvement as the legal process unfolds.
