India textiles tycoon hit with fresh allegations

By Nikhil InamdarBBC Business Correspondent, Mumbai

Getty Images Gautam Singahnia in 2022Getty ImagesGautam Singhania, seen in 2022

Nawaz Modi, the estranged wife of Indian textiles tycoon Gautam Singhania has made fresh allegations of spying and surveillance among others against her husband.

Ms Modi has been negotiating a divorce settlement with the Indian billionaire for the past several months. However, the talks are said to have completely collapsed after she asked for 75% of Mr Singhania's $1.4bn (£1.1bn) fortune.

In a fresh complaint filed with the police - the copy of which the BBC has obtained - Ms Modi alleges that she and her children, who are currently living in her father's home have been living under "constant fear" for their lives due to Mr Singhania's "incessant harassment, threats and spying".

She has accused Mr. Singhania of putting spyware in her car, and his staff of forcibly occupying her father's property in Udwada in the western Indian state of Gujarat.

Ms Modi has also said Mr Singhania is maligning her character by falsely accusing her of having an affair with an unnamed physical trainer and a board member of the publicly listed Raymond Group - one of India's best known consumer brands, of which both are co-promoters.

She's further alleges her husband was attempting to destroy her livelihood by harming her fitness venture "Body Art", adding that she feared he will try and evict her and her family from their lodgings.

A police constable at Mumbai's Gamdevi police station confirmed to the BBC that the complaint was filed late night on Thursday.

The BBC reached out to Mr Singhania's press office for a response. While he has chosen not to comment on the specific allegations, he said they were all "false and baseless."

"I still choose to maintain silence for the sake of my two beautiful daughters. The truth shall prevail one day," Mr Singhania added.

Getty Images Nawaz Modi, seen in 2022Getty Images

The acrimonious feud between the couple first came to light when a video of Ms Modi being denied entry into a company Diwali party went viral in November last year.

She had made allegations of physical assault on her and their minor daughter by the scion of the almost hundred-year-old Raymond Group, which he has also denied.

Ms Modi is reported to have suggested names of corporate veterans like Anand Jain, a senior executive with India's Reliance Group, senior banker K V Kamath and tycoon Ajay Piramal to restart the stalled settlement talks.

Mr Singhania continues to remain chairman and managing director of the Raymond Group while Ms Modi serves on the board.

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