Cult Fitness Co-Founder Rishabh Telang Faces Forgery FIR

Bengaluru police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against **Cult Fitness Pvt Ltd** and its co-founder, **Rishabh Telang**. This action follows a complaint from former co-founder **Deepak Poduval**, who alleges forgery of company documents and the removal of his **50%** stake in the business.

The Core Allegations

Poduval’s complaint centers on claims that forged documents and affidavits were used to remove him from the company’s management. These alleged actions also led to the winding up of the entity.

• Poduval claims his signatures were forged on company documents and false declarations were used for the company’s closure, effectively wiping out his **50%** shareholding.
• He further alleges that the business, including its customers, goodwill, and revenues, was diverted to another group entity.
• A trademark application for ‘Cult The Workout Station’ is also cited as part of the ongoing dispute.
• Poduval states he discovered these irregularities in **2026** while reviewing company records.

Telang’s Rebuttal

Rishabh Telang has strongly denied forging Poduval’s signatures, asserting that Poduval was not removed without his knowledge. Telang maintains that Poduval was actively involved in the company’s winding-up process.

• Telang stated that an email from the **Ministry of Corporate Affairs** regarding the closure was shared with Poduval in **2020**.
• He also suggested that the FIR might be connected to an ongoing family property dispute.

Cult.fit’s Stance

The IPO-bound entity, **Cult.fit**, clarified that neither it nor its subsidiaries are named as accused in the FIR. They emphasized that the entity referenced in the complaint was a separate company.

• Cult.fit Healthcare acquired certain assets and intellectual property, including ‘Cult The Workout Station’, from Cult Fitness and Poduval in **2016**.
• The company confirmed that consideration for this acquisition was paid and acknowledged by the complainant.