Jalandhar, Punjab: Despite earlier reports suggesting that the business dispute among partners of Mariton Hotel had been mutually resolved, last night’s violent clash has made it clear that the corporate feud is far from over.
Mariton Hotel, situated on the Jalandhar–Phagwara Highway, is owned by multiple stakeholders with divided shareholding. As per available details, the Kukreja brothers, Gautam Kukreja and Gaurav Kukreja, hold 15% stake in the hotel. The Marwah brothers, Dr. Paramjit Singh Marwah and Gursimran Singh Marwah, collectively hold 36%. A group of Kapurthala-based silent partners holds 29%. The remaining 20% stake is held jointly by Yash Dua and members of the Mahwara brothers.
The internal rift reportedly began when majority stakeholders purchased an adjoining 40-marla land parcel without taking minority partners into confidence. The land was allegedly intended for a hotel extension and construction was reportedly initiated. Documents were also submitted to secure a bank loan in the hotel’s name, further escalating tensions.
Minority stakeholders objected, claiming the purchase was unilateral and the land unsuitable. Serious concerns were raised that nearly 40% of the land was allegedly government-owned and that an electricity board liability of approximately Rs. 5 crore was pending on the property. Questions were also raised about how the land registry was approved despite such liabilities, especially when electricity authorities are typically stringent in recovering dues from domestic consumers.
Sources further indicate that an additional loan of around Rs. 8.5 crore was sought from a nationalized bank in connection with the land, although reportedly about Rs. 5 crore had already been disbursed before objections were raised. Minority partners are said to have written to the bank to halt further disbursement, intensifying mistrust among the stakeholders.
At one stage, influential political and business figures in Jalandhar reportedly intervened and facilitated a temporary understanding. It was conveyed that the hotel’s name would not be used for any construction on the disputed land, giving the impression that the matter had been resolved.
However, the violent altercation that erupted at the hotel last night, reportedly involving factions aligned with Dr. Paramjit Singh Marwah and Yash Dua, has demonstrated that the conflict had not truly subsided. The clash allegedly involved family members and associates, bringing what was once a corporate boardroom dispute into the public domain. CCTV footage of the incident has surfaced, and police complaints have been made. One of the co-owners is reported to have sustained injuries.
There were also reports of altercations involving the 20% stakeholders and other partner groups, indicating that divisions within the ownership structure run deeper than initially perceived.
What began as a disagreement over land acquisition and financial decisions has now escalated into one of Jalandhar’s most controversial corporate disputes. The matter has raised broader questions about partnership governance, financial transparency, land registration procedures, and regulatory oversight.
While mediation efforts were made earlier, the latest events signal that the dispute remains unresolved and has reached a deeply concerning and violent level.
The police have not filed any FIR in the matter so far.
