BharatPe has filed a civil suit and a criminal complaint against its former MD and co-founder Ashneer Grover and his family that include his wife Madhuri Jain Grover who was the former head of controls.

The fintech unicorn is seeking up to Rs 88.67 crore in damages. While the civil suit alleges the embezzlement of funds, forgery and trying to destroy evidence, the criminal complaint has allegedly listed 17 counts which include alleged cheating and forgery.

The suit, which runs into 2,800 pages, alleges that Grover, Madhuri Jain and other family members created fake bills, enlisted fictitious vendors to provide services to the company and overcharged the firm for recruitment.

"BharatPe has initiated civil and criminal action against erstwhile co-founder and managing director, Ashneer Grover, former head of controls, Madhuri Jain Grover, and other connected parties of their family for various claims, including misappropriation of company funds. We have full faith in the courts and authorities and are confident that justice will be done. As the matter is sub judice, we have no further comment to offer at this stage,’’ a spokesperson for BharatPe said.

The civil suit came up before the Delhi High Court, which issued notices to the Grover family and asked them to respond within two weeks. It will hear the matter again on January 9.

The Delhi High Court also issued summons to the other defendants, including Grover’s brother-in-law, his father and his brother. If found guilty, they could face imprisonment for up to 10 years.

"Pass a decree of permanent injunction restraining the defendants (Grover and others) and/or anyone on their behalf in any manner whatsoever from making defamatory/derogatory statements concerning the plaintiff (BharatPe), its directors, employees and/or publicising, printing the same in any medium or form whatsoever,” the suit said, while seeking direction to the defendants to disclose their assets.

During the hearing, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for BharatPe, said that Grover, his wife and other relatives were carrying out a “vicious and vitriolic” campaign against the company which has a large number of foreign investors.

The counsel for Grover and his wife said they were not served with a copy of the suit.

Jain was the head of controls at BharatPe and was fired earlier this year after a forensic audit revealed irregularities. Ashneer Grover resigned as CEO in March.