Hospital chain Fortis Healthcare on Tuesday said it will contest the suit by industrialist Anil Nanda in the Delhi High Court that challenged conversion of Escorts Heart Research Institute and Centre from a trust to a company and its subsequent takeover. "Now Fortis will contest the suit as defendant like others defendants," a senior legal official of the company said. The move follows a decision by the High Court last week to admit an amendment application by Anil Nanda,who sought to declare the Rs 500-crore public offer of Fortis Healthcare illegal on the ground that the Escorts Heart Research Institute and Centre (EHIRC) that it acquired in 2005 is under dispute. He also pleaded to declare transfer of 90 per cent shares of EHIRC to Fortis "as void and bad in law". Earlier,Fortis was not involved directly in the legal battle although it was named as a party in 2007. However,following Anil Nanda's move,Fortis has now become a part of the ongoing legal battle. Anil Nanda had filed a case against his elder brother Rajan Nanda over the EHIRC from a trust to a company and subsequent sale of 90 per cent stake to Fortis Healthcare for Rs 585 crore in 2005.
