Gautam kicked, punched me, alleges Nawaz Modi; Singhania denies

Raymond managing director Gautam Singhania's estranged wife Nawaz Modi has alleged that the industrialist assaulted her and one of their daughters two months ago in a fit of rage.

She said the episode on September 9 was one of three instances of assault she suffered at his hands. Modi, a fitness coach, was speaking to ET on the sidelines of the launch event of her book on natural anti-ageing techniques.

Top legal sources close to Singhania said, in the face of allegations, he will soon seek legal recourse to safeguard his family's interests. In a statement, the industrialist said: "In the interest of my two beautiful daughters, I would like to maintain my family's dignity and I will refrain from offering any comment. Please respect my privacy."


The differences between the two first came into the limelight when videos of her being denied entry to a company Diwali party went viral. Shortly after, Singhania posted on X (formerly, Twitter) that he and Modi were separating. ET first reported last week that the two sides were at the negotiating table.

'Acrimony since December 2022'
Modi was seeking 75% of Singhania's net worth as part of the separation, ET reported.

But the dramatic charges - the subject of speculation among Mumbai's elite business circles and on social media for weeks - are being levelled publicly by Modi for the first time.

Modi told ET that the acrimony between the two started in December 2022. She said on September 9, Singhania punched, kicked and assaulted her and their elder daughter, injuring her back.

"There has been some acrimony between us since December but the September 9 assault was the tipping point. On that fateful day, an argument ensued over the use of my bathroom. There are over 30 bathrooms in the house, but Gautam insisted he wanted to use the one I used. The argument escalated into an assault. He smacked and kicked me and even assaulted my daughter. My back got injured." Modi told ET. "I wanted to seek police help but he tried to ensure that the cops don't enter our home. But the Ambanis (the Singhanias' neighbours) intervened and helped me get a non-cognisable compliant registered and even helped me get treatment at the Reliance hospital."

She said she had to be admitted to the intensive care unit.

"I left the house with my two daughters and since then I have been living with my parents. I have been pursuing legal recourse, the exact details of which I cannot share now. The lawyers on both the sides have been trying to reach a settlement and I have been only asking what's fair and just for me and my kids," she added.

ET reported last week that Modi, 53, has sought 75% of Singhania's $1.4 billion net worth for herself and their two daughters as part of a family settlement. Singhania has in turn offered to set up a trust to hold the family's assets but he would remain the sole trustee as long as he is alive. Upon his death, his family members would be allowed to bequeath his assets.

This is believed to be unacceptable to Modi. Gautam Singhania has appointed Haigreve Khaitan as a legal adviser while Mumbai-based law firm Rashmi Kant is believed to have been engaged by Modi. Akshay Chudasama, managing partner at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co, who is close to both sides, has been trying to mediate between the two.

Apart from running a chain of fitness centres called BodyArt, Modi, one of the earliest aerobics and wellness experts in south Mumbai, is also on the board of directors of Raymond Ltd.

"In the past, Gautam has expressed his concerns of safeguarding his daughters and me," she told ET. "He said then that he wants to do this before he turns 58... I am only trying to seek full financial security for my daughters... That's my life's purpose right now! In the past he has claimed that the three of us would get 33.3% each. (I'm saying)... he could keep 25% and give us the rest. What I am seeking is in the capacity of a mother to my daughter... as their legal guardian securing their and my dues," she said.