Dhoni Challenges Defamation Case in Delhi High Court; Plaintiffs Allege Unfair Media Portrayal

In a recent development in the Delhi High Court, former Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni contested a defamation suit filed against him by his ex-business partners, Mihir Diwakar and Soumya Das. Dhoni’s counsel argued that the complaint was not maintainable, stating that he had not yet received the copy of the plaint and related documents. The court directed the plaintiffs’ counsel to provide a complete set of documents to Dhoni’s legal team within three days. The high court, at this stage, declined to issue any interim order against Dhoni and various media houses and social media platforms, which the plaintiffs accused of disseminating defamatory content.

The plaintiffs, Diwakar and Das, have sought a permanent injunction and damages, accusing Dhoni, several social media platforms, and media houses of making and spreading defamatory, false, and malicious statements. Their lawyer emphasized the need for fair media reporting, expressing concern over their clients being labeled as criminals in the media. However, Advocate Siddhant Kumar, representing one of the media houses, also maintained that the plea was not maintainable and highlighted the issue of the court’s territorial jurisdiction over the case.

The matter, now listed for further hearing on April 3, stems from a contentious business relationship between Dhoni and the plaintiffs. Recently, Dhoni filed a criminal case against Diwakar and Das in Ranchi, alleging they duped him of approximately Rs 16 crore by failing to honor a contract for establishing cricket academies. The plaintiffs, on their part, are seeking to restrain the defendants from further damaging their reputation, particularly concerning allegations of illegal gains and breach of a 2017 contract. The Delhi High Court has been asked to address these complex legal and reputational issues as the case continues to unfold.

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