An Indian-origin chief executive has lost a significant civil case in Singapore after attempting to recover approximately ₹3.5 crore (S$468,090) he spent on his ex-girlfriend during their relationship. Chander Agarwal, CEO and Managing Director of India-listed logistics firm TCI Express, filed the suit against Felicia Lee following their breakup in December 2023.
Agarwal contended that the substantial sums he transferred to Lee were interest-free loans that she was legally obligated to repay. However, the Singapore High Court, in a judgment delivered by Senior Judge Lee Seiu Kin on September 9, ruled against his claim.
Court Rules Payments Were Gifts of Love
The court found that most of the disputed payments were made “willingly” within the context of a romantic relationship, rather than constituting legally enforceable loans. The judge noted a distinct absence of clear loan agreements or specific repayment terms, concluding that the evidence supported Lee’s position that the transfers were motivated by affection and love.
What the Funds Covered
- Credit Card Bills: S$206,000 (approx ₹1.38 crore)
- Overseas Travel: S$129,000 (approx ₹86.4 lakh)
- Life Insurance Premiums: S$15,775 (approx ₹10.6 lakh)
- Feng Shui Consultation: S$17,000 (approx ₹11.4 lakh)
- Executive Programme: S$30,000 (approx ₹20.1 lakh) for a Stanford-NUS program
- Luxury Shopping: Including brands like Hermes, Dior, Prada, and Louis Vuitton.
An additional S$50,000 alleged loan was also not proven during the proceedings.
The Singapore High Court dismissed Agarwal’s claim in its entirety and further ordered him to cover Lee’s legal costs. This ruling prevents Agarwal from recovering any of the S$468,090 he sought, underscoring the strict approach of Singaporean courts in differentiating between personal gifts and formal loans, especially when large sums are involved without clear written terms.