In a significant turn for the high-profile family dispute at Modi Enterprises, the Delhi High Court on Monday, April 27, 2026, quashed the criminal case filed by Samir Modi against his mother, Bina Modi, her lawyer Lalit Bhasin, and her security officer Surendra Prasad.
The court’s decision, delivered by Justice Saurabh Banerjee, comes after Samir Modi informed the court via video conference that he had officially withdrawn his complaint following a mutual settlement between the parties.
The Incident: A Boardroom Confrontation
The case stems from a physical altercation on May 30, 2024, at the Godfrey Phillips India (GPI) office.
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The Allegation: Samir Modi, then Executive Director of GPI, claimed he was forcibly blocked from entering a board meeting by Surendra Prasad, allegedly acting on his mother’s instructions.
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The Injury: The confrontation resulted in a “grievous” injury to Samir’s right index finger, which was broken and required surgical intervention (insertion of a screw and wire).
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The Legal Escalation: While initial police chargesheets only named the security guard, a trial court later summoned Bina Modi and Lalit Bhasin, suggesting “common intention” or conspiracy.
Key Takeaways from the Court Hearing
Despite the quashing of the FIR, the court proceedings highlighted that the reconciliation might be strictly legal rather than emotional.
| Observation | Detail |
| No Settlement Deed | The court noted that there was no formal settlement deed or monetary amount mentioned as the basis for the compromise. |
| Voluntary Withdrawal | Samir Modi confirmed personally to the judge: “I have withdrawn, sir.” |
| Bina Modi’s Presence | Bina Modi and Lalit Bhasin also joined the proceedings through virtual mode to confirm the settlement. |
The Broader Battle: Control of the Empire
While this criminal case is now closed, the underlying struggle for control over the ₹30,000 crore KK Modi Group remains the primary point of friction.
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Inheritance Dispute: Samir Modi has consistently accused his mother of mismanaging the family trust and attempting to exclude him from key leadership roles following his father’s death.
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Corporate Shifts: Earlier this year, Samir was removed from his role as Executive Director of Godfrey Phillips, a move he challenged as part of his larger legal battle for his “rightful share” of the estate.
The Bottom Line: The quashing of the assault case removes a significant criminal cloud over Bina Modi, but it remains to be seen if this “mutual settlement” signals a broader peace treaty regarding the division of the Modi business empire.
