Shilpa Shetty’s restaurant group wins employment tribunal

6th November 2009, 11:38am

Shilpa Shetty’s V8Gourmet Restaurant Group has won an employment tribunal which found allegations made by Jamal Hirani, former director and chief executive officer of Gourmet Restaurants Limited, to be untrue.

Last month various reports in the press claimed that Hirani had been forced out of the businesses to make way for Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra, who became investors this summer.

The Tribunal found that Hirani was not constructively dismissed adding that there was no connection between the purchase of the businesses by V8G early in the year and the recent investment by Raj and Shilpa.

Hirani was also reported in the press to be claiming "more than £1.5 million" from Shilpa's company but V8G has dismissed this saying the amount was actually £150,000.

Apart from a very modest holiday upgrade payment of £1,323 (which V8G had already agreed) all Hirani's claims were rejected by the Tribunal. The Tribunal said that the employers had "reasonable and proper cause for their actions" concerning the suspension of Hirani.

Shilpa Shetty said: "I am pleased with the Tribunal's decision which was never in doubt in Raj's and my mind."

Managing director, Arjun Varma added: "We are delighted to hear the verdict, which vindicates Shilpa, V8 Gourmet Group and my brother Andy & myself. Truth & Justice have prevailed and we are very pleased with the outcome."

Andy Varma, head of food & business development said: "The truth always prevails and we reserve the right to file a defamation suit."

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