The Partnership That Soured
The most recent and active legal dispute revolves around a business partnership gone wrong. In 2017, MS Dhoni entered into an agreement with Aarka Sports and Management Limited, a company run by his former business partner and friend, Mihir Diwakar. The deal
was to establish MS Dhoni Cricket Academies across India and the globe. Under the terms, Aarka Sports was meant to pay a franchise fee and share profits with Dhoni for using his name and brand. However, according to Dhoni's legal team, the company failed to honour these financial commitments.
Allegations of Fraud and a Criminal Case
The dispute escalated significantly, leading Dhoni to file a criminal complaint in a Ranchi court against Mihir Diwakar and his associate, Soumya Das. Dhoni's complaint alleges cheating, criminal breach of trust, and fraud amounting to over ₹15 crore. The core of the accusation is that Aarka Sports continued to set up academies and collect fees using Dhoni's name even after he had formally revoked their authority to do so on August 15, 2021. Dhoni's representatives claim that despite sending multiple legal notices, the alleged unauthorized activities continued, causing significant financial and reputational damage. This led to the filing of charges that include forgery and criminal conspiracy. In a major development, Mihir Diwakar was arrested in connection with these allegations.
The Counter-Suit and Legal Tussle
In response to Dhoni's criminal case, Mihir Diwakar and his wife filed a defamation suit against the cricketer in the Delhi High Court. They sought to restrain Dhoni and his representatives from making what they termed defamatory and malicious statements against them. They argued that allegations of fraud were made public before any court ruling, thereby tarnishing their reputation. The legal battle is now being fought on multiple fronts, with the Jharkhand High Court also issuing a notice to Dhoni to provide an explanation regarding his claims, following a challenge from Diwakar and Das.
So, What is the ₹100 Crore Case?
This is where things get confusing for many. The ₹100 crore figure mentioned in the headline is from a completely separate and much older legal case. In 2014, MS Dhoni filed a civil defamation suit in the Madras High Court against a prominent media corporation and a retired IPS officer, G. Sampath Kumar, among others. The lawsuit was a response to them allegedly linking his name to the 2013 IPL betting scandal. Dhoni sought ₹100 crore in damages for the harm caused to his reputation. This case has been pending for over a decade and has only recently moved to the evidence-recording stage.
Why Dhoni's Evidence is Now Under Scrutiny
The recent "scrutiny" of evidence is tied to this 2014 defamation case, not the Aarka Sports dispute. One of the defendants, retired officer G. Sampath Kumar, has filed applications in the Madras High Court questioning the process of how Dhoni's testimony is being recorded. The court had previously allowed Dhoni's evidence to be recorded by an advocate commissioner at a private location, rather than requiring him to appear in court, due to his celebrity status. Kumar is challenging this, arguing for specific safeguards. He has requested that a judicial officer be appointed to oversee the recording, that the entire proceeding be video-recorded, and that the evidence be taken on court premises instead of a private bungalow or hotel. This legal move puts the procedure of gathering Dhoni's evidence under the microscope, arguing that a level playing field must be maintained for all parties involved, regardless of their public stature.
