The Patiala House Court in Delhi has issued summons to veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra and two associates in connection with a cheating case involving the ‘Garam Dharam Dhaba’ franchise.
The judicial directive stems from a complaint lodged by a Delhi-based entrepreneur, who asserts he was fraudulently enticed to invest substantial capital in the franchise venture of Garam Dharam Dhaba.
The magistrate has instructed all three to appear before the court for proceedings pertaining to the allegations of financial misconduct.
“The evidence on record prima facie indicates that the accused persons induced the complainant in furtherance of their common intent and the ingredients of offence of cheating are duly disclosed,” the judge said in the summoning order passed on December 5.
“Accordingly, let the accused persons at serial number 1 (Dharam Singh Deol), 2 and 3 be summoned for the commission of offences under section 420, 120B read with section 34 IPC. Let the accused persons at serial no. 2 and 3 be also summoned for the offence of criminal intimidation under section 506 of IPC,” the court ordered.
The matter is scheduled for further hearing on February 20, 2025.
The court also observed that the documents, including the letter of intent bearing the Garam Dharam Dhaba logo, clearly indicate that the transaction involved the restaurant and was being pursued by the co-accused on behalf of accused Dharam Singh Deol.
On October 9, 2020, the court dismissed an application seeking a direction for the registration of an FIR. However, the court had taken cognisance of the complaint and directed the complainant to produce evidence.
The case of complainant Sushil Kumar is that in the month of April 2018, the co-accused had approached him on behalf of Dharam with an offer to open a franchise of Garam Dharam Dhaba on NH-24/NH-9, Uttar Pradesh.
The complainant was allegedly lured into investing in the franchise on the pretext that the branches of the said restaurant at Connaught Place in Delhi and Haryana’s Murthal were generating a monthly turnover of approximately Rs 70 to 80 lakh.
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The complainant was promised that he would have to invest a sum of Rs 41 lakh, with an assurance of a seven per cent profit on his investment. He was also assured complete assistance in setting up the franchise in Uttar Pradesh.
