Co-founder of The Wellness Group (TWG) Manoj Murjani loss a two-year legal battle against OSIM International. Judicial Commissioner Chua Lee Ming dismissed Mr. Murjani claim that OSIM had oppressed and sacked him as CEO of TWG Tea.
TWG Tea was a subsidiary of The Wellness Group which was founded in 2003 by Manoj Murjani. TWG Tea was established In 2008 as a luxury tea product. TWG Tea incorporated unique and original retail outlets, exquisite tea rooms and an international distribution network to professionals. The company claims as a tea expert and own tea training center to train his staffs to prepare, learn the history of tea and brew tea.
The dispute between TWG Group and founder Manoj Murjani against OSIM started in 2011. Strait Times reported that OSIM, which sells healthy lifestyle products such as massage chairs, had invested in TWG Tea. In April 2011, Osim bought an initial 35% of shares in TWG Tea.
OSIM International was founded in 1980 by Ron Sim as a trading company which specialized in selling electrical and household appliance. In 1993, the company launched OSIM as its brand name and expanded its distribution network all across Asia. Following the purchase of 35% of shares in TWG Tea in 2011, OSIM subsequently increased its stake to 69.9% in 2014.
Former CEO of TWG Tea Manoj Murjani claimed that since OSIM acquired the shares of TWG Tea, the company tried to damage the profitability of TWG Tea. He accused OSIM was trying to take control of TWG Tea and removed him from his CEO position. However, as Asia One reported, Judge Chua Lee Ming found that Mr Murjani resigned on his own accord and was not removed.
Mr. Murjani also filed a defamation lawsuit against OSIM and its directors. This lawsuit was also dismissed by the judge who said the lawsuit is "nothing more than a very big storm in a tiny tea cup."
In regard to his resignation from the company CEO in 2012, Mashable reported the judge found no commercial unfairness in the issue of share ownership in the issue of share ownership. Judge Chua also dismissed counter claim from OSIM co-founder Ron Sim and four people against Mr. Murjani. The judge ruled the dispute was no more than just a disagreement between Ron Sim and Manoj Murjani.
"Unfortunately, disagreements soon started brewing between the two men at the helm of TWG Tea and Osim, which boiled over and spilled into this court," Judge Chua said in a written judgement.
On Friday, Singapore High Court had decided the two-year legal battle between OSIM International and TWG Group was merely a disagreement between two men. The Judicial commissioner Chua Lee Ming dismissed allegation from both parties
