Exclusive: Former FoxMandal Delhi partner Ravi Bishnoi has filed a summary suit in the Delhi High Court to recover Rs 79.4 lakh ($174,000) from the firm, almost two years after he resigned as partner following allegedly unpaid dues.

Bishnoi, who started SRGR Law Offices with three other FoxMandal partners in December 2009, filed the claim in the Delhi High Court, which was heard on 20 May.

The high court’s joint registrar Hemani Malhotra recorded Bishnoi’s case as: “Fresh suit u/O 37 CPC for recovery of Rs. 79,36,305/- received by way of assignment. Be checked and registered as summary suit.

“Notice be issued to defendants as per prescribed proforma under order 37 Rule (2) CPC, on filing of PF and RC.”

Rule 2 under order XXXVII of the Civil Procedure Code is a summary procedure including the recovery of debt under a written contract or guarantee.

FoxMandal Delhi managing partner Som Mandal told Legally India in an email: “We are not aware of any petition. Ravi is a former partner, if he has a claim against the firm and filed anything, we will deal with it once we see what is his claim.”

A FoxMandal spokesperson confirmed that the firm had not yet been served with the claim and was therefore unable to comment further.

Bishnoi has instructed Vijay Kundal and Dimple Murria as counsel, according to the court documents, which ordered FoxMandal to file its response by 23 July 2011.

Bishnoi and three colleagues had left FoxMandal’s Delhi office in 2009, after a string of partners and associates left following the firm not paying associate and partner salaries for several months because of a cash-flow crunch.

Bishnoi declined to comment when contacted.

The case is CS(OS) 1237/2011, Ravi Bishnoi vs M/S Fox Mandal & Co And Others.