Lalit Bhasin, an independent director at Godfrey Phillips, has refuted allegations made by Samir Modi, the company's executive director and board member, The Economic Times has reported.
Modi said that he was assaulted at a board meeting in May at the behest of other directors, including his mother Bina Modi and Bhasin.
"This is something personal. Defamatory, libellous, outrageous allegations have been made against me," Bhasin told ET.
Moneycontrol couldn't independently verify the report.
Samir filed a complaint with Delhi Police on May 30, claiming that his mother’s security officer (PSO) and some Godfrey Phillips directors caused him "grievous hurt" when he tried to enter a scheduled board meeting on May 30.
These are the first public comments made by any of the company's independent directors amid the ongoing shareholder fight.
Bhasin is a reputed lawyer and serves on the boards of many companies. The report added that he had deposed before a Delhi court that the allegations had cast a shadow on his image in the legal fraternity.
Bina Modi's PSO filed an official complaint against Samir Modi for alleged physical assault.
According to a complaint filed by the PSO on May 31, which Moneycontrol reviewed, Samir came an hour early for the board meeting and “attempted to force his way into a meeting room.”
Samir Modi suspects the attack was premeditated to prevent him from participating in the meeting on May 30 and to pressure him into selling his stake. Despite his mother's previous offer to buy his stake, he now refuses to agree to an exit.
Also Read | Godfrey Philips director Samir Modi alleged assault case: Court summons investigating officer
The dispute over the inheritance includes a significant shareholding in Godfrey Phillips and other Modi group companies.
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