Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Cult.fit Co-Founder Seeks Karnataka HC Quashing in Forgery Case
Rishabh Telang and Deepak Poduval were business associates and are also brothers-in-law.
Poduval says Telang used forged signatures and documents in business transactions.
He also says the original Cult business was moved to another company without his agreement.
Police opened a criminal case covering allegations including cheating and forgery.
Telang says the disagreement is really a business and family dispute, not a criminal matter.
His lawyers say Poduval knew about the intellectual-property transfers and signed related agreements.
Telang has asked the Karnataka High Court to cancel the case.
The court will hear more arguments but has not stopped the police investigation.
Cult.fit co-founder Rishabh Telang has asked the Karnataka High Court to quash a criminal case filed by Deepak Poduval.
Poduval alleges Telang forged documents and diverted Cult’s business, customers, goodwill and revenue to another company.
Bellandur Police registered an FIR on August 6 citing breach of trust, cheating, forgery, conspiracy and an Information Technology Act provision.
Telang says the dispute is civil and commercial, and that Poduval knew about and signed intellectual-property assignment agreements.
The court issued notices but declined to stop the police investigation; the next hearing is scheduled for September 2.
- Who
- Cult.fit co-founder Rishabh Telang and complainant Deepak Poduval, his brother-in-law and former business associate.
- What
- Telang is seeking to quash a criminal case alleging forgery, cheating, breach of trust, use of forged documents and conspiracy.
- When
- The FIR was registered on August 6; the next court hearing is scheduled for September 2.
- Where
- The case is before the Karnataka High Court, following an FIR registered by Bellandur Police.
- Why
- Poduval alleges that Telang diverted the original Cult business and forged documents connected to the company’s closure; Telang disputes the allegations and calls the matter civil and commercially motivated.
Telang’s position
Poduval’s allegations
Nature of the dispute
Telang’s position
Telang argues the matter is primarily civil or commercial because the relevant agreements contained arbitration clauses.
Poduval’s allegations
Poduval has pursued a criminal complaint alleging breach of trust, cheating, forgery, use of forged documents and conspiracy.
Business and intellectual-property transfer
Telang’s position
Telang’s lawyers say Poduval knew about the transfer of trademarks and intellectual property and signed assignment agreements in 2017.
Poduval’s allegations
Poduval alleges Telang transferred the original Cult business, customers, goodwill and revenue to Cultfit Healthcare Private Limited.
Company closure documents
Telang’s position
Telang disputes the complaint and says it conflicts with contemporaneous records and was filed years after the alleged events.
Poduval’s allegations
Poduval alleges that his signatures were forged on financial documents submitted to the Registrar of Companies to facilitate Cult Fitness’s striking off in 2019.
- Petitioner
- Rishabh Telang, Cult.fit co-founder
- Complainant
- Deepak Poduval, Telang’s brother-in-law and former business associate
- Original company
- Cult Fitness Private Limited, incorporated in November 2015 with alleged equal 50% ownership
- Alleged transfer
- Poduval says the business, customers, goodwill and revenue were transferred to Cultfit Healthcare Private Limited, incorporated in August 2016
- Police action
- Bellandur Police registered an FIR on August 6
- Court action
- The Karnataka High Court issued notices to the Karnataka government and Poduval but declined to halt the investigation
- Next hearing
- September 2