Verma’s former partner behind farmhouse fracas

Vikki Chaudhry confirmed his presence at the spot saying that he wanted the property to be vacated.

Abhishek Verma’s estranged friend and partner at Ganton India Private Limited, Vikki Chaudhry, was involved in the altercation that took place at the former’s farmhouse on Independence Day. A source close to defence agent Verma alleged that it was Chaudhry who was behind the fracas. Chaudhry confirmed his presence at the spot and did not deny that he wanted the property to be vacated.

The police is currently investigating the lease of the property. The property had been rented on behalf of Ganton India by Anca Neacsu, Verma’s wife. Chaudhry said that Ganton India was a subsidiary of Ganton Ltd US, and hence, was controlled by it. Ganton Ltd US is run by former US attorney C. Edmonds Allen, another estranged partner of Verma.

“Allen wanted to give it away. He had sent the authorisation in my name to terminate the lease here,” said Chaudhry.

Manish Kumar, investigating officer of the case, said that the farmhouse was leased by Ganton India, which meant Abhishek Verma was also responsible for the property.

Verma and Chaudhry, once friends and business associates, have fallen out. Vikki Chaudhry runs a company called Temple Security. He was friends with Verma before becoming his business associate.

Chaudhry’s firm provided Verma with personal security guards. When Verma failed to pay Chaudhry for his services, an amount worth Rs 13 lakh, the latter withdrew the guards in March this year.

On the said day, the staff at Verma’s farmhouse in Vasant Kunj were manhandled and asked to leave the premises by Atul Gupta, the brother of Ravi Gupta, a resident of Greater Kailash and the original owner of the property. According to the source, Vikki Chaudhry arrived some time after Atul Gupta and his two associates, Saurabh and Vishal reached the place. In between, another van, filled with half-a-dozen men also arrived at the venue.

Gupta, with the help of Chaudhry and others, rounded up the staff present at Verma’s farmhouse and confiscated their mobiles phones, alleged the source. This was followed up with the manhandling of the staff, with threats to vacate the premises.

Chaudhry claimed that he reached around an hour later than Gupta and denied his involvement in any act of violence. “When I reached, the staff was already standing outside. Gupta had no patience. I forbid him from doing all that. I wanted to give him the formal consent of the company but he went ahead and acted on his own,” said Chaudhry.

The source said he reached around 10-15 minutes after the fracas ensued. Upon reaching, he was also asked to hand over his mobile and leave the premises. “I argued back and did not hand over my mobile,” said the source. He was manhandled and made to leave the premises on gun point. “Vikki Chaudhry told me that since we had not paid the rent, we should vacate the premises,” he added. After leaving, the source called Verma’s lawyer, Pankaj Bagla, who asked him to call the police.

“We did not want to take liability for any outstanding dues. Already, the company Mann Tours and Travels, which provided Verma with cars has sent a notice to Ganton’s American office citing a liability worth Rs 70 lakh,” he said.

The source admitted that rent has indeed not been paid for the last quarter. “However, the security deposit, if adjusted, could take care of the rent for at least the next couple of months,” he claimed.