No Guardian Appointed in Mehta-Paul Case

Lake Circuit Judge George Paras Thursday denied requests from the sons of missing Munster ophthalmologist Promila Mehta-Paul to appoint John Argus and his Munster-based American Management Systems International as legal guardian of her estate.

Paras’ decision surprised attorneys representing the sons, one of whom has been implicated by Munster police in her disappearance.

Mehta-Paul was reported missing in March and last week Munster police named her eldest son, Paresh Paul, 38, who also goes by the name Paul Fontaine and several other aliases, as a “person of interest” in her disappearance. Paresh Paul has not been named as a suspect, arrested or charged in the case. Munster Police Chief Stephen Scheckel said he believes Mehta-Paul is dead.

On Wednesday Rybicki confirmed all three brothers consented to hire American Management as guardian, avoiding a costly fraternal legal battle. But none of the Paul sons showed for the hearing and Paras questioned whether American Management had any legal standing.

Rybicki and Merrillville lawyer Geoffrey Giorgi, who represents American Management, said their clients chose Argus’ company. But Paras remained unconvinced, noting that this was no ordinary guardianship hearing and that a missing person was involved. Because of “the uniqueness of the situation,” Paras denied the petition to appoint American Management. However, Rybicki and Giorgi persuaded him not to appoint another guardian until they could discuss it with their clients.

Paras set the next Mehta-Paul guardianship hearing for 8:30 a.m. Sept. 27 and said he hoped all interested parties would attend.

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No Guardian Appointed in Mehta-Paul Case