Cult.fit Cofounder Rishabh Telang Moves Karnataka High Court to Quash FIR
Rishabh Telang, cofounder of fitness firm Cult.fit, has approached the Karnataka High Court seeking to quash an FIR filed against him by the Bellandur police in Bengaluru. Hearing the plea, Justice M Nagaprasanna issued a notice to the complainant, Deepak Poduval, but declined to grant an interim stay on the ongoing police investigation.
What Happened
The case originates from an FIR registered on August 6 by the Bellandur police based on a complaint lodged by Deepak Poduval, who is Telang’s brother-in-law and business associate. In his complaint, Poduval alleged that his signatures were forged on official corporate filings regarding the striking off of an entity called Cult Fitness in 2019. He further claimed that the company’s business and intellectual property were transferred without his knowledge or consent.
Telang has denied the allegations. In the High Court, his counsel submitted that Poduval was aware of the intellectual property and business transfer, having signed assignment agreements in 2017 and receiving approximately Rs 1 crore. During the hearing, the court observed that the police had issued Telang a notice under Section 35 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, meaning there was no immediate apprehension of arrest. Consequently, the court did not stay the probe, and the petition remains pending without any determination on the merits of the claims.
Key Highlights
- The Karnataka High Court issued notice to complainant Deepak Poduval on Rishabh Telang’s quashing petition.
- Justice M Nagaprasanna declined to stay the ongoing police probe, citing a notice issued under Section 35 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and no immediate threat of arrest.
- The complainant alleged his signatures were forged on 2019 corporate filings to strike off Cult Fitness and that business assets were transferred without his consent.
- Telang denied the claims, with his counsel stating Poduval signed assignment agreements in 2017 and received around Rs 1 crore.
- Cult.fit and Cultfit Healthcare are not named as accused in the FIR.
- The FIR relates to Cult Fitness, struck off in 2019, while Cult.fit submitted draft papers for an initial public offering last month.
Why This Matters
The legal dispute concerns the historical operations and closure of Cult Fitness in 2019. While the cofounder faces an FIR, current entities Cult.fit and Cultfit Healthcare are not implicated as accused parties in the case. The legal challenge also coincides with Cult.fit recently filing draft papers for an initial public offering.
What to Watch Next
The quashing petition remains pending before the Karnataka High Court, awaiting further proceedings following the notice issued to the complainant. In the absence of an interim stay from the court, the Bellandur police investigation will continue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who filed the FIR against Rishabh Telang?
The FIR was registered on August 6 following a complaint by Deepak Poduval, who is Telang’s brother-in-law and business associate.
Did the High Court pause the investigation?
No. Justice M Nagaprasanna declined to stay the investigation, noting that Telang had received a notice under Section 35 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and faced no immediate apprehension of arrest.
Are Cult.fit and Cultfit Healthcare named as accused?
No. Neither Cult.fit nor Cultfit Healthcare are named as accused in the case. The FIR relates specifically to Cult Fitness, an entity that was struck off in 2019.
Source: Reporting based on an article published by The Times of India.