The household name Raymond needs no introduction. Among India's oldest business families, the Singhania-led Raymond Group once dominated headlines for its business, yet over the past decade, it has become notorious for internal conflicts. Whether it's the dispute between Managing Director Gautam Singhania and his father Vijaypat Singhania, or the divorce proceedings with his wife Nawaz Modi, Raymond's current buzz is all about the reunion between father and son.
Gautam Singhania created a stir on Social Media by sharing a photo with his father, marking their first appearance together after nearly 9 years. But are you aware of the extensive conflict that has gripped this father and son over the past decade? Let's unravel the story...
The Foundation of the Raymond Group
Raymond, a prominent Indian clothing brand and fashion retailer, enjoys global recognition. Originally established as a mill in 1925, producing blankets and army uniforms under a different name, it wasn't until 1940 that Kailashpat Singhania acquired the company and rebranded it as Raymond. With the Singhania family taking over, the mill began to focus on fabric production, expanding its business as it gained fame.
Source: aajtak
The first Raymond showroom was inaugurated in Mumbai in 1958, receiving overwhelming response. The Singhania family scaled their business by importing machinery from abroad. When Kailashpat Singhania handed the reins to his nephew, Vijaypat Singhania, in 1980, a series of innovative ideas and products propelled Raymond to global fame. The brand steadily built its reputation, not just in India, but internationally, and Vijaypat Singhania became one of the wealthiest men in the country.
Life Changed Post-2015
With everything going smoothly, an age-driven decision by Vijaypat Singhania in 2015 to hand over the leadership of the Raymond Group to his son Gautam Singhania marked the turn of tides. Disputes over property began surfacing between father and son, and by 2017, these had spilled from the confines of their home onto the streets. Vijaypat Singhania accused Gautam Singhania of forcibly evicting him from JK House—a prime Mumbai location—following family conflicts.
Source: aajtak
Vijaypat Singhania frequently accused his son, publicly proclaiming that handing everything over to his son was a grave mistake. During the divorce controversy between Gautam Singhania and Nawaz Modi, which saw allegations of abuse, Vijaypat openly supported his daughter-in-law. He once confessed to Business Today that giving everything to his son was an error of judgment; he was left with little to sustain himself after being ousted from his home. 'I survived because I mistakenly retained some money, otherwise I would be on the streets,' he admitted.
'Today, having my father at home...'
A recent turn in the Singhania Family saga saw Gautam Singhania sharing a photo on his now-closed Twitter account with his father Vijaypat. Accompanying the photo was a caption expressing joy over receiving his father's blessings at home; it read 'Happy to have my father at home today and to be blessed by him. I wish you good health always, Papa...' This post has sparked conversations on social media, indicating a possible end to their 9-year long conflict.
