New Delhi: Godfrey Phillips' executive director, Samir Modi, has accused his mother, Bina Modi, of orchestrating an attack on him, exacerbating the ongoing family feud over the inheritance of the late KK Modi.
Samir Modi filed a complaint with the Delhi Police, alleging that his mother, her personal security officer (PSO), and other directors at Godfrey Phillips caused him grievous harm. Bina Modi is also a director of the company.
According to Samir Modi, the incident occurred on Thursday when he attempted to enter a scheduled board meeting at the company's office in Jasola, Delhi. He claimed that Bina Modis PSO prevented him from entering and physically assaulted him. Despite the alleged attack, Modi managed to attend the board meeting and later sought medical treatment.
A spokesperson for Godfrey Phillips dismissed the allegations as false and stated that the incident was captured on CCTV, which could be provided to investigating authorities. The spokesperson claimed the altercation happened outside the boardroom during an audit committee meeting.
Samir Modi revealed that his mother had previously offered to buy his stake in the company through a mediator, and he had agreed, requesting a valuation by a top auditing firm. However, after the incident, he decided not to sell his stake.
Modi, who also leads consumer businesses such as Colorbar Cosmetics, 24/7 Retail, and Modicare, accused his mother and other directors of a premeditated attack aimed at preventing him from participating in the board meeting. He stated that his index finger was severely injured and would require surgical intervention, impacting its functionality permanently.
The complaint, filed at the Sarita Vihar police station, detailed the alleged assault and its aftermath, including his mother's lack of sympathy and continued insistence on holding the meeting. Samir Modi accused his mother of greed and attempting to deprive him of his inheritance and rights. He called for immediate legal action against those involved.
The ongoing dispute among the Modi family members centers on the distribution of a 11,000 crore inheritance following KK Modis death in 2019. Samir Modi has challenged his mothers handling of the familys affairs in the Supreme Court, claiming that the familys trust deed stipulates equal distribution among him, Lalit Modi, and Charu Modi.
Shriram Subramanian, founder and MD of InGovern Research Services, emphasized the importance of maintaining decorum in board meetings, stating that civil conduct should be ensured even in conflict situations.
