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
poojareln yenchala lagadi dethha nana hindulene lagadi deppna bodcchi
SDPI supporters please stay away from BJP and JDS.
Because of SDPI's poor decission to run in the previous election BJP won
Congress lost (because Muslim votes got divided between SDPI and Congress.
This time be smart and vote for Congress.
Was your father wakil ? Stfu
Nikkla onji try malpoli.......
they have done good and healthy wedding...what about your shiroor swamiji, he sold his soul to BJP the worst party of india only fraud and evil people will join..
SDPI will not do any illigale and damage to our socity also they will not tigh with CongRSS,they need to avoide to come terorist BJP to win in bantwal ,in this reason SDPI with draw nomination,but sense less you went with BJP with extra marital affair, sham on you sham on your party.
Wa wonder to wonderfull said Khazi Hariram Krishna, best of best luck 'Khazi Hari" good award to you, Thousand Congratulatations keep it Anna do not be a Jeloues!!!! you were luckey to get this award, Shobakka remaining Vacated are you happy go ahead the Ramanathanna to carry out as a Priest to conduct the ceremony!!! If akka willl willed, otherwise you go north to find this age very difficult, there are in our south Indian custems to you no chance accept Akka.
Good luck Khazi Hariramanna
Jai hoo Ramanathanna
Jai Hoo Akkamma akka
I think Harikrishna Bantwal was the Khazi for this secret wedding. But am worried whether the bride will ditch the hubby by secretly going for honeymoon with the BJP.
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