Defamation case filed against MS Dhoni by ex-business partners, hearing on Jan 18
In a recent development, two former business partners of former Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni have filed a defamation case against him in the Delhi High Court. This legal action comes after Dhoni had previously filed a criminal case against the partners, accusing them of duping him of over ₹15 crore.
The defamation case has been initiated by Mihir Diwakar and his wife Soumya Das, Dhoni’s former business associates. Seeking a permanent injunction and damages, the couple has approached the high court, urging restraint against Dhoni, various social media platforms, and media houses from making defamatory statements. The plea is set to be heard on January 18 before Justice Prathiba M Singh.
Defamation case filed against MS Dhoni by former business partner
In their legal filing, Dhoni’s former partners seek to prevent him from tarnishing their reputation based on alleged false allegations related to the purported illegal gains of ₹15 crores and a breach of a 2017 contract.
The background of the dispute involves Dhoni filing a case against Diwakar and Soumya Vishwas, directors of the sports management company ‘Aarka Sports,’ in a Ranchi lower court. The partners had initially approached Dhoni in 2017 to establish cricket academies in India and abroad in his name. According to the agreement, Dhoni was to receive the full franchise fee, and profits were to be shared on a 70:30 basis. However, the accused allegedly set up academies without Dhoni’s knowledge and failed to make the agreed payments.
Despite legal notices served by Dhoni, the alleged violations persisted. The cricketer revoked his authority in August 2021, accusing the partners of continuing to establish academies without his consent and duping him of more than ₹15 crore. The criminal case was filed on October 27, 2022, under Sections 406 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Simant Lohani, authorized by Dhoni, recorded his statement before the judicial magistrate court on Friday, providing further details in the ongoing legal proceedings. The accused, who were once friends with Dhoni, had a prior association as Diwakar had played in the Ranji Trophy alongside the former Indian captain.
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