Ikigai Law management dispute: We want an order to end the acts of oppression, HR head tells NCLT

Former Human Resources and Operations Head at Ikigai Law Surbhi Goel informed the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on Wednesday that her ouster from the firm's management by her husband and founder of the firm, Anirudh Rastogi began in November, when her phone number was changed in company bank records [Mrs. Surbhi Goel v. M/s IKIGAI Business Consulting Pvt Ltd]..The New Delhi Bench of the NCLT comprising Judicial Member Bachu Venkat Balaram Das and Technical Member Rahul Bhatnagar heard Goel's counsel on the issue of interim relief today."My reliefs are so innocuous. I want the company’s investments to be kept intact. Ultimately we want an order to end the acts of oppression," he argued. .Goel's lawyer informed the bench that on November 22, she received an SMS that her number linked with the company's account had been changed. "I have been ousted by the other director. Why are my matrimonial things coming in? They are trying to bring those in.".It was stated that the company was incorporated in 2015 and the bank account was opened in 2018. "I have been managing this company. The entire growth of R1 and Ikigai Law. There are no other equity partners. R3 and R4 are merely employees. All 43 retainers are getting salary."The counsel further underscored that the company only had two partners - Goel and her husband. However, material changes were made to the management without consulting with her. .The tribunal was also informed that the day after her phone number was removed from the bank, her access to the company email account was restricted as well. "Then they say I have opened a new email ID. What is that? My official access to company’s records are lost. This is what I’m questioning. Nothing to do with my matrimonial life."Additionally, it was highlighted that even her access to Ikigai Business Consulting's investment portfolio was unilaterally blocked thereafter. .In light of these alleged acts of oppression, the petitioner sought interim protection pending the outcome of the case. The bench adjourned the case to hear the respondents on February 1. .Goel's case was registered before the tribunal on January 9. She claimed that she was ousted from the management of the firm by her husband Rastogi due to matrimonial discord between them.The plea was filed against Ikigai Business Consulting, Rastogi, Partners Nehaa Chaudhari and Aparajita Srivastava, and others..Ikigai Law HR head moves NCLT against husband and firm’s founder Anirudh Rastogi claiming ouster due to matrimonial issue