London, Oct 12 Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty's restaurant chain in the UK, V8 Gourmet Group, has been sued of six million pounds by a former CEO of the company.

According to reports, Jamal Hirani, former CEO of Gourmet Restaurants (V8G purchased it in 2009), which owned Tiffinbites, Bombay Bicycle Club and Vama restaurant in King's Road, has alleged that he was forced to move out of the group to make way for the Bollywood actress.

Hirani said he was forced out of the firm by Anthony Ridgewell, the main investor in Gourmet, and his brothers Arjun and Andy Varma.

Shilpa and fiance Raj Kundra had paid six million pounds to acquire a 33 per cent stake in the company. It was announced last week that Shetty will be the company's new co-chairwoman, the London Evening Standard reports.

It is also believed that Hirani has approached an employment tribunal claiming more than 1.5 million pounds in compensation for unfair dismissal. (ANI)