3 weeks ago
Cult Founder Rishabh Telang Accused of Signature Forgery in FIR
A man named Rishabh Telang helped start a fitness company called Cult.
Another man named Deepak Poduval helped him start it too, and the two are also family.
Now Poduval says his signature was copied without his permission.
He says those copies were used to close down the old company without telling him.
The police in Bengaluru started looking into this on August 6.
The police are checking if forgery or cheating happened.
The company that runs Cult gyms today says this case is about an old, separate company.
Rishabh Telang says the accusations are not true.
He says he has papers showing Poduval knew about the company closing.
The courts and police will decide what really happened.
Cult founder Rishabh Telang is accused by former co-founder Deepak Poduval of forging his signatures in an FIR.
Bellandur Police in Bengaluru registered the FIR on August 6 for forgery, cheating and criminal conspiracy.
Poduval alleges 2019 filings to the Registrar of Companies used forged signatures to strike off Cult Fitness Private Limited without his approval.
Poduval claims his 50% ownership stake was extinguished without compensation, a claim Telang and Cult.fit dispute.
Cult.fit says the case concerns a separate entity and that neither Cult.fit Limited nor CultFit Healthcare Private Limited is named as accused.
- Who
- Cult founder Rishabh Telang, former co-founder and brother-in-law Deepak Poduval, and Bengaluru's Bellandur Police.
- What
- An FIR alleging forgery, cheating and criminal conspiracy over signatures Poduval says were forged to strike off Cult Fitness Private Limited.
- Where
- Bengaluru, India, with company filings made to the Registrar of Companies and records reviewed on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs portal.
- When
- FIR registered on August 6; allegedly forged documents were filed in 2019; an MCA communication about closure is dated March 12, 2020.
- Why
- Poduval claims his signatures were forged to dissolve Cult Fitness and extinguish his 50% stake without compensation; Telang and Cult.fit deny the allegations.
Deepak Poduval's Allegations
Rishabh Telang and Cult.fit's Response
Forged signatures on company closure filings
Deepak Poduval's Allegations
Poduval says his signatures on 2019 Registrar of Companies filings were forged and used to strike off Cult Fitness without his consent, extinguishing his 50% stake.
Rishabh Telang and Cult.fit's Response
Telang says Poduval was involved in discussions with CultFit Healthcare and the winding-up process, citing correspondence and a March 12, 2020 MCA communication shared with both founders.
Payment under the acquisition agreement
Deepak Poduval's Allegations
Poduval disputes Telang's claim that he received payment as part of the agreement.
Rishabh Telang and Cult.fit's Response
Telang claims Poduval received payment under the agreement and says the transaction was completed properly with all contractual requirements fulfilled.
Timing and motive of the FIR
Deepak Poduval's Allegations
Poduval's complaint alleges the company was removed from records without his approval or compensation.
Rishabh Telang and Cult.fit's Response
Telang questions the timing of the FIR, linking it to a July 2026 property dispute filed against Poduval by Telang's sister, who is Poduval's wife.
Key facts
- Accused
- Rishabh Telang and Cult Fitness Private Limited
- Complainant
- Deepak Poduval, former co-founder and brother-in-law of Telang
- FIR date
- August 6
- Police station
- Bellandur Police, Bengaluru
- Allegations
- Forgery, cheating and criminal conspiracy
- Poduval's claimed stake
- 50% ownership
- Key acquisition
- Cure.fit took a majority stake in Cult in 2016
- Case status
- Under investigation; no findings established








