The Delhi High Court on Monday quashed the criminal proceedings against noted industrialist Bina Modi, senior advocate Lalit Bhasin, and security guard Surendra Prasad. The decision comes after a settlement was reached between the parties and the complainant, Bina’s son and former Godfrey Phillips India (GPI) executive director, Samir Modi.
Presiding over the matter, Justice Saurabh Banerjee ordered the quashing of the case after Samir Modi appeared before the court via video conference to confirm that he had withdrawn his complaint against his mother and the two other accused.
The legal battle originated from an incident on May 30, 2024, at the Godfrey Phillips India office. Samir Modi had alleged that while he was attempting to enter a board meeting in his capacity as executive director, he was physically blocked and assaulted by Surendra Prasad, a personal security guard acting on the instructions of Bina Modi.
According to the initial complaint, the altercation resulted in a broken right-hand index finger for Samir, which required surgical intervention involving the insertion of a screw and wire. A medico-legal certificate subsequently categorized the injury as “grievous.”
Samir had further claimed that despite informing his mother about the assault, she insisted he sit down and allow the meeting to proceed. He also alleged that senior lawyer Lalit Bhasin insisted on continuing the meeting despite his visible injuries.
The case saw significant developments in the lower courts before reaching the High Court. While an FIR was registered in June 2024, the police filed a charge sheet on March 1, 2025, naming the security guard, Prasad, as the primary accused. However, the investigating authorities initially cleared Bina Modi and Lalit Bhasin, citing a lack of sufficient evidence to prosecute them.
This led Samir Modi to file a “protest petition” before the Saket trial court. On February 10, the judicial magistrate found sufficient prima facie material to proceed against all three individuals, suggesting that conspiracy or common intention could be inferred from the circumstances. The trial court had remarked:
“The investigating officer cannot be a deciding authority in a case that he is investigating… it is a matter of trial and for the prosecution to lead evidence and to prove the allegations.”
Following the trial court’s summons for their appearance on May 7, Bina Modi, Bhasin, and Prasad moved the Delhi High Court seeking a stay on the proceedings and the eventual quashing of the FIR.
During the hearing on Monday, the court was informed that the familial and professional dispute had been resolved through a settlement. Upon hearing Samir Modi’s statement of withdrawal, Justice Banerjee quashed the petition, effectively ending the criminal proceedings.
