MS Dhoni has been sued for defamation by his former business partner Mihir Diwakar and Diwakar’s wife Soumya Das.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
NEW DELHI: Today(29 Jan,2024), the Delhi High Court, presided over by Justice Prathiba M Singh, directed Mihir Diwakar and his wife Soumya Das, former business associates of cricketer MS Dhoni, to clearly articulate their accusations against various media outlets. These media entities are alleged to have slandered them following Dhoni’s lodging of a fraud complaint against the couple.
The directive came as Siddhant Kumar, representing the news agency ANI, contended in court that their reporting was limited to the fact of Dhoni’s complaint against Diwakar and Das. Kumar also argued that the defamation lawsuit brought forth by Diwakar and Das lacks grounds for being heard in the Delhi High Court, as the incidents central to Dhoni’s complaint occurred in Ranchi.
Subsequently, the Court decided to postpone the hearing of the case until April 3.
Background of the Case
Mihir Diwakar, a former cricketer who represented India in the Under-19 World Cup in 2000, along with his wife, has accused MS Dhoni of making defamatory statements against them. The core of the dispute lies in the allegations that Diwakar and his wife illegally obtained ₹15 crores from Dhoni. This accusation has led to a legal confrontation, with Diwakar seeking to restrain Dhoni from further publishing any defamatory or malicious statements.
The Defamation Suit
The suit, filed by Diwakar and his wife, extends beyond Dhoni to include major tech giants and media houses, such as Meta, X (formerly Twitter), Google, YouTube, and approximately 30 other media outlets and web portals. The plaintiffs allege that these platforms have circulated defamatory content against them, further damaging their reputation.
Dhoni’s Response
In response to the allegations, Dhoni’s legal counsel argued before Justice Prathiba M Singh of the Delhi High Court that the defamation suit against Dhoni is not maintainable. Dhoni’s team contends that the cricketer had merely filed a case against Diwakar in Ranchi and that the current petition against him holds no ground. “The petition is not maintainable against me. I’ve just filed a case in Ranchi,” Dhoni’s counsel submitted.
The Plaintiffs’ Allegations
Diwakar’s legal team has expressed dissatisfaction with the media’s portrayal of their client, arguing that the reports have unfairly labeled Diwakar as a “thug” and “thief.” They claim that the allegations made by Dhoni are “wild, false, baseless, vindictive, malicious, and unfounded.” The plaintiffs are particularly aggrieved by a press conference held by Dhoni’s lawyer on January 6, 2024, where these allegations were publicly presented, allegedly with the intention to cause irreparable harm to Diwakar and his wife.
Legal Proceedings and Developments
The court has instructed Diwakar’s counsel to specify allegations against the defendants, with the matter scheduled for the next hearing on April 3. Additionally, a criminal complaint filed by Dhoni against Diwakar is pending in a court in Ranchi.
The Business Partnership
The root of this legal dispute can be traced back to 2017 when an authorization letter was issued in favor of Diwakar’s company, Aarka Sports Management Authority Pvt Ltd, for the establishment of the MS Dhoni Cricket Academy. This was part of a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a chain of cricket academies and sports complexes. However, in August 2021, this authorization was reportedly revoked via an email by an unknown third party, a decision that Diwakar claims to have never been officially communicated to him.
ALSO READ: High Court Dismisses Zee Media’s Appeal in Dhoni’s Defamation Case
Conclusion
This legal battle between MS Dhoni and Mihir Diwakar highlights the intricate and often tumultuous nature of business partnerships, especially when they involve high-profile individuals. As the case proceeds, it not only sheds light on the specifics of the dispute but also underscores the impact of media reporting in shaping public perception in high-stakes legal matters. The cricket world and legal community alike await further developments with keen interest.
FOLLOW US ON X(TWITTER) FOR MORE AND BRISK LEGAL UPDATES.
