By Andrew Irumba
In unprecedented twist of events property mogul Sudhir Ruparelia’s son who doubles as Ruparelia group managing Director Mr.Rajiv Ruparelia has through his lawyers of WALUSIMBI & CO. ADVOCATES demanded for a public apology from DFCU bank for disclosing his private telephone number which was widely shared in their intention to sue Letter that was widely shared on social media platforms. He also accused them of alleging that he (Rajiv) spread fake news aimed at destroying Uganda’s Uganda’s biggest private local bank-DFCU.
Last week, DFCU through its legal officer Kalenge, Bwanika, Sawa and Company Advocates (KBS), issued a notice warning of an imminent legal action against Mr. Rajiv Ruparelia along with other online publications for damaging their client’ image when he allegedly sponsored ‘fake’ stories against the second largest local bank in Uganda.
Lately, it emerged that DFCU bank is facing a liquidity crisis, with a number of its international shareholders pondering on quitting business.
The bank’s woes arise from its decision to acquire Crane Bank, a deal which turned to be fraudulent according to the Auditor General’s findings released last month.
Responding to DFCU’s notice, through his lawyers of Walusimbi & Company Advocates, Rajiv Ruparelia wants the bank to apologise for publishing his private mobile telephone number and sharing it on a number of platforms without his consent.
“Our client’s attention has been drawn to various social media publications through your agents MIS Kalenge, Bwanika, Ssawa &Co. Advocates clearly expressing themselves to be acting on your instructions wherein they,to his regret and enormous inconvenience published and widely circulated among others his phone number, a detail otherwise given to you confidence tied to his account held with yourselves by virtue of having succeeded the same from the Crane Bank Limited (in receivership). Read part of the letter.
Rajiv went to demand that the apology must be shared on all the platforms that DFCU lawyer used to spread the threats of intention to sue or else he institutes legal proceedings against the already troubled bank.
“Our client begrudges this breach of confidence actionable both civilly and criminally and accordingly requires an immediate formal apology similarly shared on all platforms hitherto published to. Together with atonernent for the same ail not later than by the close of business this week. Our client also demands that the publications expressed as a Notice of Legal Action, dated 5th October 2018 and referenced KBB-2018-071-01 be forth with retracted from the aforesaid forums and his customer rights be honored in full. All correspondences regarding this subject should be addressed through our chambers. Expect no further warning,” wrote Rajiv’s lawyer.
Crane Bank was sold off by the Central Bank in 2017 on grounds of gross insolvency, a claim that has since been rubbished by the Auditor General John Muwanga whose report exposed hidden agenda by Central Bank authorities.
The report has triggered fresh summons against Central Bank top shots by the Parliament of Uganda pinching holes into their administration.
