Chunilal Mehta was born to Vijbhukhandas Atmaram who belonged to the Modh Vaniya community of Surat.
[1] Vijbhukhandas Atmaram Mehta came to Bombay in the mid-1800s and rose to become the owner of Century Mills.
Sir Chunilal was married to Taraben and had children Kusum, Ratan, Champavati, Bhagvandas, Lily, Jaya, and Prahlad.
Sir Chunilal's daughter Kusum married Sir Harilal Kania, the first Chief Justice of India and another daughter Champavati married prominent doctor Shantilal Jamnadas Mehta.
Sir Chunilal was a leader of the Indian Merchants' Chamber[3] and also the Chancellor of the SNDT Women's University from 1926 to 1932.