The Patiala House Court in Delhi has summoned veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra and two others in a cheating case linked to the 'Garam Dharam Dhaba' franchise.  

The summons, issued by Judicial Magistrate (First Class) Yashdeep Chahal, stems from a complaint filed by Delhi businessman Sushil Kumar, who alleged he was misled into investing in the franchise, ANI reported.  

In the summoning order dated December 5, the court noted, “The evidence on record prima facie indicates that the accused persons induced the complainant in furtherance of their common intent, and the ingredients of the offence of cheating are duly disclosed.”  

The court directed that Dharmendra (Dharam Singh Deol) and two co-accused be summoned for offences under Sections 420, 120B read with Section 34 of the IPC. The co-accused were also summoned for criminal intimidation under Section 506 IPC. The matter is listed for further hearing on February 20, 2025.  

At the summoning stage, the court emphasized that only a prima facie case needs to be considered, and a detailed examination of the case's merits is not required. It also observed that documents, including a letter of intent bearing the Garam Dharam Dhaba logo, suggested the transaction involved the restaurant and was pursued by the co-accused on behalf of Dharmendra.  

The case dates back to April 2018, when the co-accused allegedly approached Sushil Kumar on behalf of Dharmendra with an offer to open a franchise on NH-24/NH-9 in Uttar Pradesh. Kumar claimed he was lured by assurances of high turnovers at other outlets in Connaught Place, Delhi, and Murthal, Haryana, and was promised a seven per cent profit on his ₹41 lakh investment.  

However, after multiple meetings, emails, and a signed letter of intent on September 22, 2018, Kumar alleges he was asked to invest ₹63 lakh plus tax and arrange land for the franchise. He paid ₹17.70 lakh by cheque, which was encashed, and purchased land in November 2018. Despite this, the accused reportedly neither inspected the land nor met Kumar, leading him to claim financial loss and fraud.  

Advocate D.D. Pandey appeared for the complainant, who had initially approached the court in October 2020 after an application for registering an FIR was dismissed. The court, however, took cognizance of the complaint and directed Kumar to produce evidence.