Ex-boss of Shilpa Shetty's restaurant group loses tribunal claim

Shilpa Shetty's Indian restaurant group has successfully fought off a constructive dismissal claim brought by the former head of the company.

Jamal Hirani, 42, alleged he had been forced out. However, Watford Employment Tribunal found Mr Hirani was not constructively dismissed and rejected his claim for £150,000 in damages.

The tribunal confirmed that the restaurant group should pay £1,323 for additional holiday time due to Mr Hirani.

He was chief executive of Gourmet Restaurants, which owned Tiffinbites, delivery specialist Bombay Bicycle Club and Vama restaurant in King's Road.

It went into administration and was bought by the V8 Gourmet Group. Six months later Shetty became the company's co-chairwoman after she and fiancé Raj Kundra paid £6million to buy a 33 per cent stake in it.

The tribunal decided the employers had "reasonable and proper cause" for their actions in suspending Mr Hirani.

The Bollywood actress and model said: "I am pleased with the tribunal's decision which was never in doubt in Raj's and my mind."

Managing director, Arjun Varma, said: "We are delighted to hear the verdict, which vindicates Shilpa, V8 Gourmet Group, my brother Andy [who also runs the company] and myself.

"Truth and justice have prevailed."