Dubai, Jul 25: The founder of NMC Health, BR Shetty, has had a worldwide freezing order placed on his assets at the request of a lender that claims he has defaulted on a loan of more than $8 million (Dh29.4m).
The order was granted to Credit Europe Bank (Dubai) last month ahead of a claim filed at the DIFC Courts against Mr Shetty, New Medical Centre Trading and NMC Healthcare.
The lender said in its claim they “are jointly and severally liable” for the repayment of money initially secured through a credit agreement in December 2013 and renegotiated in December last year. Credit Europe Bank is an Amsterdam-headquartered institution specialising in trade and commodities finance with operations in nine countries.
The credit agreement was guaranteed by two security cheques which the bank said in its claim were signed by Mr Shetty – one drawn on his personal account and another on the account of New Medical Centre Trading – that have been "dishonoured upon presentation due to insufficient funds".
The bank claimed Mr Shetty “has now fled the jurisdiction of the UAE to India” and that there was a risk of his “substantial” assets in the Emirates being dissipated.
The assets frozen include properties in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, as well as shares in NMC Health, Finablr, BRS Investment Holdings and other companies. It allows for up to $7,000 per week to be spent on “ordinary living expenses and reasonable sum[s] on legal advice and representation”, a DIFC Courts document granting the freezing order shows.
Credit Europe Bank declined to comment when contacted by The National, stating it does not comment on ongoing litigation proceedings. Representatives for Mr Shetty and for NMC Healthcare, which is now being run by administrators Alvarez & Marsal, also declined to comment.
NMC Healthcare was founded by Mr Shetty in 1975 and grew from a single hospital into the UAE’s biggest privately-owned healthcare operator, which employed 2,000 doctors and 20,000 other staff. The company was listed on the London stock exchange and at its peak was valued at £8.58 billion (Dh40bn). However, its shares slumped after short seller Muddy Waters Research issued a report in December 2019 alleging the company had inflated its cash balances, overpaid for assets and understated its debts. This led to a string of damaging revelations by the company, including the fact that its debt was materially higher – at $6.6bn – than the $2.1bn on its balance sheet. NMC Healthcare was placed into administration in April by its biggest creditor, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, but its UAE businesses continue to trade as a going concern.
Mr Shetty said in a statement issued in April that he has been a victim of fraud committed by "a small group of current and former executives” at companies owned by him. He said bank accounts were created in his name and transactions were made without his knowledge, and that loans, cheques and bank transfers were also fraudulently guaranteed in his name using his forged signature.
In response to the claim filed by Credit Europe Bank (Dubai) at the DIFC Courts, Mr Shetty says he did not personally guarantee loans made to NMC Trading or NMC Healthcare and that the signatures used on cheques guaranteeing the loans are forgeries. His defence cites the opinion of “Dr Al Bah, an independent, experienced and qualified forensic document examiner”, that someone other than Mr Shetty signed the lending agreements and cheques.
An application by NMC Trading and NMC Healthcare to the DIFC Courts to have the claim against it heard in private for fear of triggering claims by other lenders – the group owes money to around 80 local, regional and international lenders – was dismissed, given that the appointment of administrators at the group and allegations of fraud at the company are already in the public domain.
Both companies have indicated to DIFC Courts that they intend to contest the claim against them.
Comments
If we Muslims bow down , We bow down to only the lord of the worlds, a creator who created U, me and all that exists.
We must bow down in humility to Almighty God only, not his creation which is man made.
Physically we should bow down somewhere, and naturally to some direction. If we were to do it right now, we would be bowing towards a random direction. our physical presence on earth forces this upon us as a prostrating Believer to GOD almighty, whether you like it or not.
The bowing down to God Almighty in the direction of the KAABA or the city of Mecca in general is a way to UNIFY all MUSLIMS to bow down to God Almighty, as one body and one unity, towards ONE DIRECTION & towards the mosque.
As to WORSHIPING the cubic black bldg. the Kaaba, We absolutely DO NOT WORSHIP IT.
I will repeat what aharkul mentioned : Umar RA came near the black stone and kissed it and said \ NO doubt, I know that YOU are a STONE and Can neither Benefit anyone NOR Harm anyone. Had i not seen ALLAH's apostel (Prophet Muhammed pbuh) kissing you, I would not have kissed YOU.
While there are traditions about kissing or touching the stone, its real significance is a MARKER of the point at which one starts the tawaaf (Circumambulation) .. A stone is just a stone."
Mr. Nothing But True, Listen Why Muslim Kissing the black stone in KAABHA because our Great Prophet (S.A) kissed the black stone which is braught from Heavan by Angels. Becuase of this only all Muslim Brother's and Sisters kissing Black Stone of Kaabha following the sunnah of Our Prophet (S.A.) Nothing Else.
Umer (R.A) before kissing the black stone said that there is no any special with you . I am kissing because our prophet (S.A.) kissed you. So Everyone should worship one god and not the creation.
Mr. Reality..you look like \Shishlya\" of Mr. Zoker Naik..before preaching others about Creator and Creation, why can't you apply this principle to yourself? WHY ARE YOU KNEELING TOWARDS AND KISSING \"THE BLACK STONE\" IN KAABA? Please throw the stone to Garbage..."
NA TASYA PRATIMA ASTI... There is no image of God
Bhagwad Geeta says in Chapter 7 Verse 20.
Those whose intelligence has been STOLEN by MATERIAL desires WORSHIP demigods besides the TRUE GOD.
It is mentioned in chandogya upanishad, Propathaka chapter 6, Khanda seciton 2, Shloka
EKAM EVADITIYAM : He is ONE only without a second.
Then Y are worshiping idols and different man made creative gods which cannot help themselves.. How can you guys not using your intellect when your OWN SCRIPTURES says not to DO SO>>>
Its HIgh time hindu brothers should know the REALITY and consequences it will take when we ignore the CREATOR and worship the CREATION.
WORSHIP THE CREATOR NOT HIS CREATION.
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