The Supreme Court on Friday declined to entertain a plea by HDFC Bank CEO Sashidhar Jagdishan seeking to quash an FIR filed against him in connection with alleged financial irregularities at Mumbai’s Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical Trust, which runs Lilavati Hospital.

A bench led by Justice PS Narsimha noted that the case is already scheduled to be heard by the Bombay High Court on July 14, and therefore refrained from intervening.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Jagdishan, argued that the FIR unjustly implicates the bank in a private dispute, adding:

“The idea is to summon him to the police station. It will create havoc for the bank and affect my personal reputation.”

However, the bench responded that it would not comment on the merits of the case before the High Court hears it:

“We will not apply our mind on the merits. The case is listed on the 14th July. We hope it will be taken up on that day.”

Jagdishan approached the Supreme Court after facing difficulties at the Bombay High Court, where three different benches had earlier recused themselves from hearing the matter. Acknowledging this, Justice Narsimha remarked:

“It is unfortunate.”

The FIR alleges Jagdishan’s involvement in questionable financial dealings related to the Trust. While expressing sympathy for his situation, the Supreme Court allowed the Bombay High Court to decide the matter in its due course.

This development comes amid heightened scrutiny of high-profile banking and corporate figures and underscores the judiciary’s reluctance to bypass procedural stages when lower courts are already seized of a matter.

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