Defamation suit against MS Dhoni by ex-business partner in Delhi HC.

In a significant legal development, former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni finds himself embroiled in a defamation lawsuit. The suit has been filed by his former business associate, Mihir Diwakar, and Diwakar's wife, Soumya Das. The couple seeks to legally restrain Dhoni from making any derogatory remarks related to an alleged contractual breach dating back to 2017.

The origins of the dispute trace back to a joint venture between MS Dhoni and the Aarka Sports Association, owned by Mihir Diwakar and Soumya Das. This partnership, formed with the objective of establishing cricket academies across India, eventually turned sour, leading to legal confrontations between the parties.

Background of the Case

According to the lawsuit, Dhoni and his representatives have publicly accused Mihir and Soumya of defrauding Dhoni of approximately ₹15 crore, allegedly due to their failure to adhere to the contract's terms. The suit specifically references a press conference conducted by Dhoni's counsel, Dayanand Sharma, on January 6, 2024, wherein Sharma levelled serious allegations against the couple. The widespread media dissemination of these allegations has reportedly tarnished Mihir Diwakar's reputation.

The plaintiffs are now seeking judicial intervention to prohibit Dhoni from making further derogatory comments. They have also petitioned the court to direct social media platforms like Twitter, Google, and Meta to remove any defamatory content related to this matter.

The case is scheduled for a hearing before Justice Prathiba M Singh on January 18.

This lawsuit emerges in the aftermath of a criminal complaint filed by Dhoni against Diwakar and Das in Ranchi. Dhoni's complaint accuses the couple of contractual violations related to the establishment of cricket academies under his name. The complaint includes serious allegations such as criminal breach of trust, cheating, and forgery, accusing Diwakar of continuing to operate cricket academies using Dhoni's name without his consent.

This ongoing legal saga highlights the potential complexities and challenges inherent in business partnerships. The outcomes of both the defamation suit and the criminal case are being closely monitored by sports authorities and the general public, underscoring the high-profile nature of this dispute.