Court issues notice to complainant as legal dispute over Cult Fitness’ earlier business transfer continues.
RishabhTelang, co-founder of Cult.fit, has now reportedly approached the Karnataka High Court seeking to quash a First Information Report (FIR) registered against him following a complaint by his brother-in-law and former business associate, Deepak Poduval.
Bellandur police registered the FIR on August 16. The complaint relates to the earlier operations and restructuring of Cult Fitness, a company associated with the fitness business before the emergence of the present Cult.fit entity. During the hearing on August 25, Justice M Nagaprasanna issued notice to Poduval and the state government. However, the court didn’t order a stay on the police investigation. The matter remains pending, and the court hasn’t made any finding on the allegations.
Allegations centre on company documents.
According to the complaint, Poduval has alleged that his signatures were forged on documents connected with the striking off of Cult Fitness in 2019. He has also alleged that the company’s business and intellectual property were transferred without his knowledge.
Telang has denied the allegations. His legal team has argued that Poduval was aware of the transactions and participated in the documentation related to the transfer. The defence has also pointed to agreements signed in 2017 and stated that Poduval received approximately ₹1 crore in connection with the transactions. The arguments are part of Telang’s plea seeking the cancellation of the criminal proceedings.
No immediate arrest threat, court says.
The court noted that police had issued Telang a notice under Section 35 of the BharatiyaNagarikSurakshaSanhita (BNSS). It also observed that there was no immediate apprehension of arrest. However, the Karnataka High Court did not halt the investigation, meaning the police proceedings can continue while the petition is considered.
The case concerns events that allegedly took place several years ago, including the transfer of Cult Fitness’ business and intellectual property and the company’s eventual striking off in 2019. The legal development comes shortly after Cult.fit filed draft papers for a proposed initial public offering (IPO). The timing has brought additional attention to the dispute, although the FIR concerns Cult Fitness and does not name Cult.fit or Cultfit Healthcare as accused.
The Karnataka High Court is expected to consider the matter further, with the proceedings focused on whether the FIR and allegations against Telang should continue. Until the court reaches a decision, the allegations remain contested and should not be treated as facts.
