Latest news with #Leena
India.com
a day ago
- Business
- India.com
Meet Billionaire Woman Who Bought India's Most Expensive Sea-Facing Flats In Mumbai For Rs... Her Name Is...; Check Net worth And Education
photoDetails english India's Most Expensive Flats: Leena Gandhi Tewari is a name not widely known, but she recently grabbed national attention after purchasing two sea-facing flats in Mumbai's Worli for a staggering amount — reportedly the most expensive residential property deal in India, according to media reports. Leena Gandhi Tewari is an Indian businesswoman and author. She is the chairperson of USV Private Limited, a multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company headquartered in Mumbai. Under her leadership, USV has become one of India's top five pharmaceutical firms, specializing in medications for diabetes and heart-related conditions. Updated:Jun 01, 2025, 08:20 PM IST India's Most Expensive Flat Deal 1 / 7 Leena Gandhi Tewari has purchased two luxurious sea-facing duplex flats in Mumbai's Worli for ₹639 crore, marking the most expensive residential property transaction ever recorded in India's real estate history. USV Chairperson Leena Gandhi Tewari 2 / 7 Tewari is the chairperson of USV, a pharmaceutical giant founded in 1961 by her grandfather, Vithal Balkrishna Gandhi, in collaboration with global cosmetics brand Revlon. She continues the family legacy with strong leadership. Ultra-Premium Sea-Facing Homes 3 / 7 The two duplexes are situated in Naman Xana, a 40-storey tower on Worli Sea Face. They span the 32nd to 35th floors, covering a total carpet area of 22,572 sq. ft. at ₹2.83 lakh/sq. ft. India's Most Expensive Flat Worth 4 / 7 Including over Rs 63.9 crore in stamp duty and GST, the total cost of the property purchase amounts to nearly Rs 703 crore. As per documents, the high-value deal was officially registered on May 28, 2025. Leena Gandhi Tewari Education And Family 5 / 7 Leena holds a from the University of Bombay and an MBA from Boston University. Her husband and both children—an MIT PhD and a Boston CS graduate—serve on the USV board, continuing the legacy. USV Chairperson Leena Gandhi Tewari Networth 6 / 7 With a net worth of $3.9 billion as of May 30, 2025, Leena is among India's wealthiest women. She ranks 964th globally and was the 45th richest Indian woman in Forbes India's 2023 list. Leena Gandhi Tewari Surpasses Networth Of MD Of Biocon And CEO Of Nykaa 7 / 7 Leena Gandhi Tewari's wealth exceeds that of fellow industry icons like Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw of Biocon and Falguni Nayar of Nykaa. In 2023, her net worth was estimated at $3.7 billion, rising significantly within a year. (Image Credit: Social Media And X)
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Lawyer, held guilty of abducting doctor & acquitted of murder, released on remission after 19 years in Yerawada jail
Pune: Leena Deosthale (65), who was serving a life sentence for the abduction of orthopaedic surgeon Dr Deepak Mahajan after being acquitted of murder, has walked out on remission after spending 19 years in Yerawada Central Prison. Deosthale's daughter, Deepti, who is undergoing life imprisonment in the case, has also applied for remission. Her plea is pending before a five-member Sentence Review Board of state govt for consideration. Leena, then a lawyer, and Deepti, a cookery expert and writer, are from Dahisar in Mumbai. According to police, they allegedly kidnapped and murdered 47-year-old Mahajan by forcibly giving him an overdose of sedatives after a foiled bid for a Rs25-lakh ransom in July 2006. Pune police arrested them on July 7, 2006, and later filed a chargesheet. On Dec 27, 2007, a fast-track court in Pune sentenced the mother-daughter duo to death. Bombay high court in 2009 acquitted them of murder for lack of evidence but convicted them for the doctor's abduction and ransom, and sentenced them to life imprisonment. Leena applied for remission through the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Pune, because she spent 19 years in actual imprisonment and 26 years with remission since her arrest on July 7, 2006. The state prisons department opposed her plea on grounds of her complicity in a serious crime, and that her appeal against conviction was pending for hearing before the Supreme Court. DLSA's pro-bono lawyer Sachin Salunkhe, who represented Leena before the Sentence Review Board, said that under the guidance of DLSA secretary Sonal Patil, they meticulously reviewed the case, highlighting her incarceration, her remorse, her old age, and her potential for rehabilitation. Their efforts, rooted in the principle 'hate the sin, not the sinner' emphasised restorative justice and the possibility of reintegration into society. The Supreme Court, in its order of Sept 15, 2022, said that the cases of convicts spending 14 years in jail could be referred to govt for considering their premature release in a fixed time, irrespective of whether the appeal is pending or not, Salunkhe said. "The state govt resolution of 2006 states that a woman convict is eligible for remission if she has completed 60 years, undergone 14 years of rigorous imprisonment, and if she is physically weak. Another govt resolution of 2008 states that in cases relating to abduction with ransom under section 364 (a) of the Indian Penal Code, if a convict, irrespective of gender, has spent 10 years in jail with remission, totalling 16 years, is entitled to claim remission," he said. The board, after considering the apex court ruling and govt resolutions, on May 16 issued an order granting remission to Leena. She was released from jail on May 23, Salunkhe said. "Her release marks a milestone in the ongoing discourse on criminal justice reform, rehabilitation, and the balance between punishment and mercy." The prisons department also opposed Leena's remission on grounds that she had not deposited a fine of Rs59,000 as per the trial court's order. Salunkhe deposited the fine amount on her behalf to secure her release on remission. Pune: Leena Deosthale (65), who was serving a life sentence for the abduction of orthopaedic surgeon Dr Deepak Mahajan after being acquitted of murder, has walked out on remission after spending 19 years in Yerawada Central Prison. Deosthale's daughter, Deepti, who is undergoing life imprisonment in the case, has also applied for remission. Her plea is pending before a five-member Sentence Review Board of state govt for consideration. Leena, then a lawyer, and Deepti, a cookery expert and writer, are from Dahisar in Mumbai. According to police, they allegedly kidnapped and murdered 47-year-old Mahajan by forcibly giving him an overdose of sedatives after a foiled bid for a Rs25-lakh ransom in July 2006. Pune police arrested them on July 7, 2006, and later filed a chargesheet. On Dec 27, 2007, a fast-track court in Pune sentenced the mother-daughter duo to death. Bombay high court in 2009 acquitted them of murder for lack of evidence but convicted them for the doctor's abduction and ransom, and sentenced them to life imprisonment. Leena applied for remission through the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Pune, because she spent 19 years in actual imprisonment and 26 years with remission since her arrest on July 7, 2006. The state prisons department opposed her plea on grounds of her complicity in a serious crime, and that her appeal against conviction was pending for hearing before the Supreme Court. DLSA's pro-bono lawyer Sachin Salunkhe, who represented Leena before the Sentence Review Board, said that under the guidance of DLSA secretary Sonal Patil, they meticulously reviewed the case, highlighting her incarceration, her remorse, her old age, and her potential for rehabilitation. Their efforts, rooted in the principle 'hate the sin, not the sinner' emphasised restorative justice and the possibility of reintegration into society. The Supreme Court, in its order of Sept 15, 2022, said that the cases of convicts spending 14 years in jail could be referred to govt for considering their premature release in a fixed time, irrespective of whether the appeal is pending or not, Salunkhe said. "The state govt resolution of 2006 states that a woman convict is eligible for remission if she has completed 60 years, undergone 14 years of rigorous imprisonment, and if she is physically weak. Another govt resolution of 2008 states that in cases relating to abduction with ransom under section 364 (a) of the Indian Penal Code, if a convict, irrespective of gender, has spent 10 years in jail with remission, totalling 16 years, is entitled to claim remission," he said. The board, after considering the apex court ruling and govt resolutions, on May 16 issued an order granting remission to Leena. She was released from jail on May 23, Salunkhe said. "Her release marks a milestone in the ongoing discourse on criminal justice reform, rehabilitation, and the balance between punishment and mercy." The prisons department also opposed Leena's remission on grounds that she had not deposited a fine of Rs59,000 as per the trial court's order. Salunkhe deposited the fine amount on her behalf to secure her release on remission.
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First Post
4 days ago
- Business
- First Post
Who is Leena Gandhi Tewari, who bought India's costliest flats for Rs 639 crore in Mumbai's Worli?
Leena Gandhi Tewari, chairperson of pharmaceutical company USV Ltd, has purchased two sea-facing duplex apartments for Rs 639 crore in Mumbai's Naman Xana, a luxury 40-storey tower on Worli Sea Face, offering sweeping views of the Arabian Sea. Including stamp duty and GST of Rs 63.90 crore, the total transaction value stands at Rs 703 crore. This is the most expensive residential property deal ever recorded in India read more Leena Gandhi Tewari is the chairperson of pharma company USV Ltd. Image: X Leena Gandhi Tewari, the chairperson of pharma company USV Ltd, has bought two sea-facing duplex apartments in Mumbai's upscale Worli area for Rs 639 crore. This is the costliest residential property transaction ever recorded in India, and among the biggest real estate deals in the country. The apartments cover floors 32 to 35, and the price works out to Rs 2.83 lakh per square foot, likely the highest rate seen in any residential market in India so far. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With stamp duty and GST of Rs 63.90 crore, the total value of the deal comes to Rs 703 crore. As per property registration documents, the transaction was registered on May 28. But who is Leena Gandhi Tewari? What do we know about these apartments? As we break this down, what are some of the other most expensive real estate deals in India? And why are many pharma industry promoters and executives choosing to invest in luxury homes in Mumbai? Let's get you the answers to these questions and more. Leena has bought two sea-facing duplex apartments in the luxury high-rise Naman Xana on Worli Sea Face. The 40-storey tower offers clear views of the Arabian Sea. The duplexes span four floors, from the 32nd to the 35th, covering a total area of 22,572 square feet. At Rs 2.83 lakh per square foot, this makes it one of the highest-priced home purchases in India. In addition to the purchase cost, Leena also paid Rs 63.9 crore in stamp duty and GST, pushing the total amount spent to nearly Rs 703 crore. Mumbai has seen a sharp rise in big-ticket property purchases in recent months. Reuters/File Photo This makes it the most expensive residential deal ever recorded in the country. According to Fortune Magazine, the Naman Xana building was designed by Talaty & Partners LLP. It features 22 exclusive homes with open layouts of around 6,500 square feet, offering wide views of both the sea and the city. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Part of Mumbai's ultra-premium property segment, the tower also enjoys improved access due to the new Coastal Road. Who is Leena Gandhi Tewari? Leena is a well-known name in India's pharmaceutical industry and serves as the chairperson of USV Private Limited. She has a net worth of $3.7 billion (over Rs. 30,000 crores) as of 2023, and is among India's richest women. USV was set up in 1961 by her grandfather, Vithal Balkrishna Gandhi. The company is a top player in India's market for oral anti-diabetic and heart-related medicines. It also makes active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Notably, Leena holds a from the University of Bombay and an MBA from Boston University. Her husband, Prashant Tewari, is the Managing Director of USV. Their daughter, Aneesha, has a PhD in molecular biology from MIT, and their son, Vilas, is a computer science graduate from Boston. Both are on the company's board. India's most expensive real estate deals Billionaire banker Uday Kotak and his family purchased nearly the entire 19 Shiv Sagar building in Worli, a sea-facing property, for Rs 426 crore. As per documents reviewed by The Economic Times, the Kotak family had already bought 13 of the 24 apartments in this upscale building through deals completed in January and September 2024. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Their latest purchase in April 2025 added another 8 apartments, taking their total to 21. Only two flats remain to be formally transferred to their name. These apartments in the two-storey building were bought at nearly Rs 2.72 lakh per square foot, the report said. In another high-value transaction, the promoters of Metro Brands purchased a large apartment in the under-construction Palais Royale in Lower Parel for Rs 405 crore. The flat measures over 38,000 square feet. According to data analysed by real estate consultancy Anarock, a total of 59 ultra-luxury homes were sold in 2024, with an overall sales value of around Rs 4,063 crore. This marked a 17 per cent rise in the total value of such deals compared to the previous year. Mumbai led the market with 52 out of these 59 deals, accounting for 88 per cent of all ultra-luxury property sales. Of the 17 deals that crossed Rs 100 crore in 2024, 16 were in Mumbai and one in Delhi-NCR (Gurugram). According to Business Standard, Mumbai's transactions included 14 apartments in Worli, Malabar Hill and Pali Hill, and two bungalows in Cuffe Parade and JVPD. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This is the costliest residential property transaction ever recorded in India. Reuters/File Photo Mumbai's luxury housing sees high demand from the pharma sector Mumbai has seen a sharp rise in big-ticket property purchases in recent months. Among the major deals, the Kabra family of RR Kabel bought two apartments at 360 West in Worli for nearly Rs 200 crore. The promoters of Metro Brands picked up a large flat at Palais Royale in Lower Parel for Rs 405 crore, with the unit measuring over 38,000 square feet. Similar high-value deals have taken place at Lodha Malabar and other luxury projects across South Mumbai. In April, the city recorded its highest number of property registrations, which maintains its position as India's priciest and most active real estate market. South and Central Mumbai, which host the country's most expensive homes, continue to draw industrialists, senior executives, celebrities and sports stars. These areas have led the latest wave of record-breaking transactions. So what's behind the growing interest from pharma industry leaders? Real estate experts told Hindustan Times that the post-Covid jump in wealth has made luxury homes a go-to choice for pharma promoters and executives. They see such properties as both a stable investment and a symbol of success. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As per documents accessed by Zapkey, Vibha Shanghvi, wife of Sun Pharma chairman and managing director Dilip Shanghvi, bought two flats worth Rs 130 crore in Worli last year. The apartments are in the same project where Leena Gandhi Tewari recently purchased her duplex units. Sandeep Reddy, co-founder of Zapkey, told HT that pharma promoters are snapping up luxury trophy homes at prices that often exceed market norms. He added that a strong fear of missing out (Fomo) is playing a big role in driving these record buys.
India Today
4 days ago
- Business
- India Today
Meet Leena Gandhi Tewari, the SUV chairperson who bought India's costliest flats
Leena Gandhi Tewari is a name not many know well, but she recently caught everyone's attention after buying the most expensive flats in India. She bought two sea-facing luxury duplex apartments in Mumbai's Worli area for Rs 639 crore. This deal broke records and surprised many in the property and financial RECORD-BREAKING REAL ESTATE DEALSpanning over 22,572 sq ft, the duplex apartments are situated from the 32nd to the 35th floor in the 40-storey Naman Xana building on Worli Sea Face, overlooking the Arabian Sea. The price works out to more than Rs 2.83 lakh per sq the huge purchase amount, Leena paid over Rs 63.9 crore extra in stamp duty and taxes, making the total cost close to Rs 703 crore. This move was quiet but powerful, much like her OF USVLeena is the chairperson of USV, a Mumbai-based pharmaceutical company, which was started by her late father, Vithal Gandhi, in partnership with Revlon in 1961. Forbes estimates Leena's net worth at $3.9 billion, as of May 30, 2025, making her one of India's richest keeps her personal life as private as her business affairs. She is known to be a close friend of Nita Ambani. Her husband, Prashant Tewari, who is also involved with USV, is an IIT graduate and a mechanical engineer from Cornell. Their daughter, Aneesha Gandhi Tewari, holds a Ph.D. in molecular biology from MIT and was appointed to USV's board in August popular medicines, such as Glycomet for diabetes and Ecosprin for blood thinning, enjoy wide recognition and trust across the Leena Tewari's record property purchase and her leadership of USV demonstrate her influence both in business and beyond.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Delhiwale: Leena's pink soup
The world is her home, so to speak. Leena Lemoine is intimate with scores of cultures—through their cuisines. A cook in the Vasant Vihar residence of Lithuanian ambassador Diana Mickevičienė, she has a friendly disposition and an infectious laughter (see her photo with the ambassador). One evening, after preparing a dinner of Lithuanian dishes—Bulviniai blynai and cheese donuts—Leena sits down with ambassador Mickevičienė on the latter's living room sofa and graciously agrees to give a sense of her remarkable career. She started working years ago at the Delhi home of two Spanish ladies. Initially, she explains, she was mostly skilled in Indian khana, but her kind employers taught her about their country's cuisine, and soon she was making paella and tortilla. The Spanish ladies also enrolled Leena in a culinary 'class' in Neeti Bagh for her to learn 'English food.' After the two ladies returned to their homeland, Leena continued being a cook in Delhi, working through a series of home kitchens--in French, Italian, Turkish and Canadian households respectively. Her present employer helped her learn the essentials of Lithuanian cooking. Today, Leena has made one of that country's most iconic dishes—Šaltibarščiai. It is Lithuania's cold beetroot soup, colloquially known as pink soup, and it happens to be just the perfect thing for Delhi heatwaves–fresh and soothing. Leena agrees to share the veggie version of the recipe. You may want to cook it tomorrow on 31st May, the day of the Pink Soup Festival in Lithuanian capital Vilnius. Pink soup, for 10 Ingredients: 500g beetroot, 500g cucumber, 1.5-litre Mother Dairy dahi, a bit of spring onions, chopped, a bit of fresh dill, chopped, salt to taste Method 1. Boil the beetroot, just the way you would boil the aloo for aloo paratha. Afterwards, peel and grate the beetroots. Add some lemon juice to neutralise the sweetness of the beet. Keep aside in a dish. 2. Peel and grate the cucumbers. Keep aside in a dish. 3. Pour the dahi into a large bowl, and beat it to a smooth consistency. 4. Mix dahi with grated beet and cucumber, you may like to add some boiled water for a more soupy consistency. 5. Add 1 tablespoon salt, or more to taste. 6. Add some of the chopped spring onion and dill leaves into soup, keeping the rest in small bowls to be served separately as extra garnish.
