A Chandigarh court has overturned a money recovery decree against well-known Bollywood producer Mahendra Dhariwal. The case involved a sum of Rs 28.53 lakh claimed by city-based financier Samdarshi Kashinath Jaiswal, who accused Dhariwal of failing to repay a loan.
Dhariwal, famous for the 2002 film “Maa Tujhe Salaam” featuring Sunny Deol and Tabu, was accused of borrowing Rs 1.10 crore for film financing. However, Dhariwal’s lawyer, Harish Bhardwaj, argued that the agreements presented by Jaiswal were forged and unauthentic.
Earlier, a lower court had ordered Dhariwal to repay Rs 28.53 lakh with interest. But on appeal, Additional District Judge Rajnish Garg set aside the ruling. The judge found that Jaiswal acted as a money lender without a proper licence, deeming his lawsuit invalid under the law.
Jaiswal initially demanded Rs 3 crore, claiming Dhariwal had assured repayment before film distribution. During the trial, Jaiswal passed away, and the case proceeded through his legal heir. Despite Jaiswal’s claims, no payments were made for the loan.
Dhariwal’s lawyer emphasized that Jaiswal’s status as an unlicensed money lender made his case non-maintainable. The court agreed, stating that the trial court had overlooked critical legal requirements regarding Jaiswal’s money-lending status.
With the decree now voided, this decision brings significant relief to Mahendra Dhariwal. It also serves as a reminder of the legal responsibilities involved in financial disputes.