The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday (August 25) issued notice on a petition filed by Cult.fit co-founder Rishabh Telang, seeking to quash an FIR registered against him by Bellanduru Police on allegations including cheating, forgery, criminal breach of trust and falsification of accounts.

Justice M. Nagaprasanna directed notices to the State and complainant Deepak Poduval, who is Telang's brother-in-law and former business associate. The matter has been listed for September 3, 2026.

The FIR was registered on August 6 following Poduval's complaint concerning the takeover of Cult Fitness Private Limited and its subsequent striking off.

Telang and Poduval were founder subscribers of Cult Fitness. According to Telang's case, the events forming the basis of the complaint took place between 2016 and 2019, when Cult Fit Healthcare took over the business of Cult Fitness, which was subsequently struck off in 2019.

Senior Counsel Sandesh Chouta, appearing for Telang, argued that the complaint was filed nearly 10 years after the alleged events, despite Poduval having knowledge of the transactions.

“...R2 says that Cult Fit Healthcare took over Cult Fitness Pvt. Ltd. in 2016, eventually Cult Fitness was struck off on 18.05.2019. According to R2, these events happened without his knowledge...after 10 years he files a complaint,” Chouta submitted.

He further told the Court that Poduval had held 20% equity and had consented to the transactions, including the transfer of trademarks, and had subsequently received approximately ₹1 crore.

“He had no objection to trademarks going to new company. He receives a sum of 1 crore. In 2017, he signs assignment deeds which was accompanied with consideration, and there are arbitration clauses in case of dispute,” the counsel submitted.

The Court noted at the outset that only a notice under Section 35 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) had been issued to Telang and that there was no apprehension of his arrest at present.

The Court, however, did not stay the investigation and issued emergent notice to the State and Poduval.

The case concerns allegations that documents relating to the transfer of Cult Fitness' business and its subsequent closure were forged. Poduval has alleged that his signatures were fabricated on company documents.

The proceedings come shortly after Cult.fit filed draft papers for its proposed initial public offering (IPO).

Case Title: Rishabh Telang v. State of Karnataka & Anr.

Case No: CRL.P 12738/2026