Authority: Supreme Court of India

Order Date: 09 September 2026

Case Overview

  • Appeals: Civil Appeal SLP(C) 25843/2026 filed by Rajesh K. Mehta and Civil Appeal SLP(C) 28456/2026 filed by Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical Trust.
  • Origin: Both appeals arise from the High Court of Judicature at Bombay order dated 16‑07‑2026 granting Rajesh K. Mehta permission to travel abroad for 120 days, subject to depositing Rs 7,50,00,000 (Rs 7.5 crore) as additional security.
  • Background: The Recovery Officer, Debts Recovery Tribunal‑II, Mumbai, had withdrawn the arrest warrant on 22‑07‑2025 and removed other travel restrictions. The appellant argued no legal bar exists and that he had already deposited Rs 7.5 crore earlier, with a total of Rs 12 crore paid to date.
  • Respondent: HDFC Bank Limited objected, claiming the appellant misrepresented facts and that the High Court’s conditions should remain.
  • Additional Proceedings: The High Court’s order is under challenge in Writ Petition No. 3802/2025 concerning the DRT‑II order.

Final Outcome

  • The Supreme Court modified the High Court’s monetary condition, reducing the required security deposit from Rs 7.5 crore to Rs 3 crore (Rs 3 crore).
  • Rajesh K. Mehta must deposit the reduced amount in the same manner as directed by the High Court, within three weeks prior to undertaking the proposed travel.
  • The Court clarified that a return to India within the 120‑day period does not constitute full compliance; the outer limit of 120 days remains for further travel.
  • The Court directed the Bombay High Court to dispose of the pending writ petitions W.P. No. 3802/2025 and W.P.(L) No. 40817/2025 within six months of receiving a copy of this order.
  • The Presiding Officer of DRT‑II, Mumbai, is directed to dispose of the pending matter M.A. No. 119/2025 in R.P. No. 709/2004 within six months of receiving a copy of this order.
  • All pending proceedings shall be decided on their own merits, without being influenced by observations in the impugned order.
  • Both appeals (SLP 25843/2026 and SLP 28456/2026) are disposed of in the terms above, and any pending applications, if any, shall also stand disposed of.

Topics: Travel Security, Judicial Order