CEO Chander Agarwal Sues Ex-Girlfriend Over 370,000 dollar in Luxury Gifts and Expenses

Business executive Chander Agarwal has filed a lawsuit against his former girlfriend in Singapore, seeking to recover nearly S$468,000, or about US$370,000, spent on luxury purchases, travel and other expenses during their relationship. Agarwal, the chief executive and managing director of TCI Express, claimed that the money spent on his former girlfriend, Felicia Lee, was not simply given as gifts but was intended to be repaid. The dispute eventually reached the Singapore High Court, where the court examined the couple's financial arrangements and the circumstances surrounding the payments.

The case involved expenses ranging from luxury shopping and credit-card bills to travel, insurance and other personal costs. Court records referred to purchases linked to major luxury brands including Hermès, Dior, Prada, Celine and Louis Vuitton. Agarwal had also paid for expensive flights and other lifestyle-related expenses during the course of their relationship.

According to the court judgment, Agarwal and Lee first met in 2019 and later entered into a romantic relationship in September 2022. Their relationship ended in December 2023. Following the breakup, Agarwal sought to recover the money, arguing that several payments made during their time together should be treated as interest-free loans.

Lee, however, disputed this position and maintained that the money and benefits she received had been given to her as gifts. The court reviewed the evidence, including communications between the two and their pattern of financial dealings. A major question before the court was whether there was sufficient evidence to show that Lee had agreed to repay the disputed amounts. The court found little contemporaneous evidence indicating that the payments were clearly described or understood as loans when they were made.

The judgment also took into account Agarwal's previous spending patterns. Evidence before the court indicated that he had paid for expensive purchases and travel and had, on earlier occasions, reassured Lee that she did not need to repay money spent on her. Agarwal also relied on a handwritten document in an effort to support his claim that the payments were loans. Lee disputed signing the document, and the court found that the available evidence did not establish that it could support the recovery of the disputed sums.

The Singapore High Court ultimately concluded that the evidence was more consistent with the payments being gifts rather than loans. The judge found that Agarwal's conduct and the circumstances surrounding the spending showed an intention to provide Lee with financial benefits during their relationship.

Apart from seeking repayment of the money, Agarwal had also raised other legal arguments, including claims involving alleged misrepresentation and unjust enrichment. These claims were rejected by the court as well. The High Court dismissed Agarwal's lawsuit and ordered him to pay costs to Lee, subject to further directions regarding the amount. The ruling means Agarwal will not recover the approximately S$468,000 he had sought through the legal action.

The case has drawn attention because of the large sums involved and the luxury brands mentioned in the court proceedings. It also highlights how disputes over money spent during a relationship can become complicated after a breakup, particularly when there is no clear written agreement defining whether a payment was intended as a gift or a loan.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.