Following allegations of irregularities, including non-payment of nearly Rs 30 crore in dues, cops seal a part of Andheri’s True Fitness gym; clientele left in the lurch
It would be in the fitness of things to say that patrons of Andheri’s True Fitness gym are a worried lot these days.
The swank outfit that caters to dozens of celebrities was partly sealed on Monday by the Bangur Nagar police pending inquiry into ‘serious irregularities’ in the establishment’s operations.
A section of the gym’s lower floor was caulked on the basis of an order by the Borivli Metropolitan Court.
The fitness centre, which occupies the third and fourth floors of Crystal Point Mall, has over 9,000 members and a total floor space of over 40,000 sq ft.
The police acted on a private complaint lodged by Harsh Kaushal Corporation through its director Kaushal Doshi. The corporation owns the mall where the gym is located.
The complaint was made on December 17, 2011 in the Borivli court, which then directed Bangur Nagar police to investigate, a process that began on January 3.
A separate case pending appeal in the High Court refers to the crores of rupees due from True Fitness to Harsh Kaushal Corporation.
One part of True Fitness gym that caters to several dozen
celebrities has been sealed following an order by the
Borivli Metropolitan Court
From June 24, 2009 till the order dated August 12, 2011 passed by the Small Causes Court, True Fitness owes the mall a little over Rs 23 crore in rent.
The order also describes tax owed to the BMC. From December 1, 2008 the civic agency began levying property tax, whose outstanding dues as of the date of the order are Rs 6.37 crore.
Unfit?
A report by the senior inspector of police submitted in the court details how the area was rented by the mall to the gym in 2008 via a lease deed.
One of the clauses of the deed specifically states that the mall’s prior permission is required by the gym in writing ‘in the event it assigns, transfers, sublets or underlets the said premises or parts with possession thereof’. According to Doshi’s statement, he gave no such permission.
Despite this, the complaint says part of the third (lower) floor of the gym was allegedly sublet to Hakim Aalim’s salon.
This floor alone is about 10,900 sq ft in the area. When contacted, Ramesh Kadam, senior inspector, Bangur Nagar police station said, “We received an order from the Borivli Metropolitan Court and accordingly sealed the premises a few days ago.”
Loads of trouble
A gym member said, “Many of us are unaware of what’s happening at the gym. The entire lower floor, which has Hakim Aalim’s salon, Bikram Hot Yoga and a spa, is sealed. The authorities have told us that it is shut due to some maintenance work.
They said it would open on Monday. Though the management hasn’t told the members, there are whispers that they have illegally given space to Hakim and Bikram Yoga on rent. As a result the court has sealed these places.”
Another client, who is aware of the goings-on, said, “Will we get back the money we paid if the gym shuts down? We have been assured that things will be sorted out, as it’s an international chain.”
Sources within Harsh Kaushal Corporation, the company that owns the mall, on condition of anonymity, confirmed the sealing.
“There have been several problems between the gym management and the mall. There is also a case pending in the High Court,” they said.
Kaushal Doshi, director of Harsh Kaushal Corporation, he said, “The matter is sub judice and I cannot comment on it.”
Celebspeak
Rakhi Sawant: “I have paid Rs 2 lakh to them. I want my money back. It’s my hard earned money. I am stressed out. They are very expensive and fleece big artists.” She then went on to complain about her bad experiences at the establishment. “I injured my shoulder due to improper training and had to stay
home for a month” she said.
Sonu Sood: “I am in Hyderabad and when I checked I got to know that the yoga level was sealed, but will be open by Monday.”
Gul Panag: “I heard about it. I have a 5-year membership, with two more years to go. Not sure what to believe as I am out of Mumbai all of this month shooting. Will only know for certain once I come back and talk to the management.”
Daya Nayak: “If this gym shuts there are 50 others that I can go to, so I am not worried. I am confident that they will refund our dues, but I don’t think such a situation will arise, as management will handle things.”
A-list clientele
Hrithik Roshan, Shahid Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Riya Sen, Gul Panag, Randeep Hooda, Sonu Sood, Neetu Chandra, Daya Nayak, Rakhi Sawant
The other side
Ashish M, a receptionist, summoned his manager, a woman known as Regina, who in turn spoke on the phone with an individual she described as her ‘higher authority’. While refusing to divulge their identity, she said, “You can speak to the police regarding this matter.
The gym authorities have nothing to say about it right now.” Hakim Aalim said, “True Fitness is a great organisation and they would never do anything unethical. Since it is a judicial matter I can’t comment on this issue.”
—Agencies