Raghuyveer Bere, a self-described "Kohei" panelist from Hyderabad, sought a 3 lac rupee refund from Speak Asia on April 11, 2011. His attempt to recover funds deposited for a franchisee license met with a dismissive response from company associate Ashok Bahirwani. Bere's situation highlights the mounting frustrations among panelists as Speak Asia's key court cases faced delays until June or July, leaving many without clear answers.
Senior panelists continued to urge patience and trust in the company, even downplaying the significance of the ongoing legal battles. However, others, like Bere, began to publicly share their struggles. Bere explained his situation in a letter to Bahirwani after a phone conversation, detailing his deposit of 3 lac rupees on April 11, 2011, for a Hyderabad/Warangal franchisee. He stated he never completed the application due to unresolved doubts and dissatisfaction with responses from company contacts like Mr. Calvin.
Mr. Charan, appointed Regional Manager for Andhra, invited Bere to Goa to address the issue. Bere made efforts to secure a refund for his deposit, all of which occurred before the master franchisee accounts were frozen. Ashish Dandekar, suspected of being Speak Asia's unofficial Chief Operating Officer, later informed Bere via SMS that his refund could only be processed after company accounts were unfrozen.
Bere's individual current account at Axis Bank Ltd, Warangal branch, containing 39,000 rupees, was frozen on August 5 by an order from the Deputy Commissioner of Police of APCID. He reported receiving no direct notice from the police regarding this action. Bere asked Bahirwani for information on others in similar situations and guidance on necessary steps.
Bahirwani replied two days later on October 2, asking, "Can you please inform me if you are a panelist of Speakasia." This came despite Bere stating his status as a "certified Kohei" panelist from Hyderabad in his initial communication and having discussed it by phone. Bere, maintaining patience six months after his initial deposit, replied simply, "yes i am a panelist,my mail contained that information 'raghuveer certified kohe."