In the history of Indian finance, Harshad Mehta remains one of the biggest and most notorious stockbrokers. He was the mastermind behind the 1992 scam on Dalal Street.
The story of Harshad Mehta and his 1992 Indian Securities scam certainly made ripples and even waves in the commercial and business world. People have been affected tremendously by the fraud committed by him, but some people are quite eager to know about Harshad’s family, especially his son, Aatur Harshad Mehta.
In this article, we will learn about Harshad Mehta’s son, Aatur Harshad Mehta’s biography, and his success story.
Who is Aatur Harshad Mehta?
Aatur Harshad Mehta is the son of India’s notorious financial broker Harshad Mehta. He was born in 1980 and grew up in the aftermath of his father’s scandal, thus navigating a world where he was entangled in legalities, public scrutiny, and the overall challenge of establishing his own identity. As of 2025, he is currently 45 years old, and he stands as a testament to resilience, especially since he has built a career in technology and entrepreneurship all on his own. He is not attached to the stock market or his father’s legacy, his era or his controversies.
His Early life and struggle : Overcome From father’s Scandal to Personal Reinvention
Aatur’s early life was certainly overshadowed by his father’s rises and falls.
Aatur Mehta’s father, Harshad Mehta, an Indian stockbroker and businessman, had been dubbed as the ‘Big Bull’ of the Bombay Stock Exchange securities fraud in 1992 of ₹100 billion (US$1.2 billion) and had managed to earn a massive amount of wealth through his manipulation and influential trading practices that were actually unethical and illegal.
However, Book “The Scam: from Harshad Mehta To Ketan Parekh,” written by journalists Sucheta Dalal and Debashis Basu, covered every detail about his 1992 Indian Securities scam.
Mehta was arrested and sentenced to 5 years imprisonment and eventual death after being in custody in december 31, 2001 due to a heart attack at the age of 47.
The scandal had left the family in financial ruin, with their assets seized and debts mounting in billions. After Harshad’s legal troubles surfaced, his mother, Jyoti Mehta, moved from her role as a homemaker to taking on responsibilities that helped support the family.
Aatur was in his mid-20s back then and had found himself unceremoniously thrust into legal battles alongside his mother, Jyoti, and uncle, Ashwin. These debts and challenges included property auctions and tax demands, and even clear victories, such as cancelling an INR 2000 crore demand in 2019.
Determined after this win, Aatur wanted a different life and a different course of action, so he distanced himself from the controversial world of his father and stockbroking.
Aatur Harshad Mehta's Educational background
Instead, he pursued an education in engineering and earned his Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electrical and Electronics from the University of Mumbai in 2015. Given his strong foundation in technology, he went on to allow innovation to take charge, and this proves that his story is one of quiet determination that overshadowed the social stigma of his surname.
Career Achievements
Aatur’s career began in the innovation sector shortly after he completed his graduation.
In 2012, he joined the Research Innovation Incubation Design Laboratory (RIIDL) and worked as the Chief Project Innovator.
He honed his skills in product development and technological problem-solving, and this role managed to set the stage for his entrepreneurial leap in 2015 when he co-founded Square-Off, a Mumbai-based startup that revolutionized the way Chess was played.
Co-founder and CTO of “Square Off”
As co-founder and the chief technology officer (CTO) of Square Off, Aatur has had a significant role in developing automated chessboards that integrate the art of AI, robotics, and connectivity. These boards allowed players to compete globally in real time or even against AI players, thus blending traditional gaming standards with modern technology.
Beyond Square Off, however, Aatur has also achieved success in other sectors—he has served as a director and is a designated partner in at least 2 companies, including ADEPT but the details aren’t disclosed here.
The thing about his form of working is that he is nothing like his father, who showed off his flamboyance, whereas Aatur has always maintained a low profile.
Business Ventures and Achievements
Aatur is known to have a primary business venture—Square Off, which stands out as the major business and is considered the pinnacle of his achievements. The company has expanded its product line to include various models of smart chessboards, even including magnetic pieces that move autonomously. In addition to this, he has also ventured into traditional industries—like acquiring a significant stake in Fair Deal Filaments in 2018. The BSE-listed textile company is renowned, and it is shown that he holds shares in two stocks with a portfolio exceeding INR 3 crores.
As of 2025, Aatur Harshad Mehta’s net worth would be approximately INR 3.2 Crore, as he is holding two stocks publicly.
Final Outlook
As of August 2025, Aatur continues to run and lead Square Off while strategically managing his investment portfolio. Reports have suggested that he is no longer living in India and is actually settled in the US with his mother, where they have seen some success in recent years in their individual efforts.
