MS Dhoni Takes on Defamation Case from Former Business Partners in Delhi High Court

Recently, Dhoni’s ex-business partners have filed a suit for the issuance of directions to restrain him from publishing any defamatory and malicious statements against them. MS Dhoni, former Indian cricket team skipper, has challenged the defamation suit filed by his two ex-business partners against him. Dhoni, through his counsel, on Monday submitted before the Delhi High Court that the defamation suit filed by Mihir Diwakar and his wife Saumya Das against him is not maintainable. The couple have filed a suit for the issuance of directions to restrain him from publishing any defamatory and malicious statements against them alleging that the duo illegally gained Rs.15 crores from the cricketer. The suit has been also filed against various social media platforms, Google, YouTube, and several media houses, web portals, etc. Appearing for a Media Organisation, Advocate Sidhant Kunar also submitted before the bench that the defamation suit filed was not maintainable before the Delhi High Court since all the events about the complaint happened at Ranchi. Noting the submissions, the Bench of Justice Prathiba M Singh, listed the matter for April 3, 2024. The suit stated that plaintiffs are reputable businesspeople with an untarnished reputation and are well respected by contemporaries and industry peers. The Plaintiffs hold the unblemished, untarnished and impeccable reputation of being honest and upright citizens. It is a matter of record to note that no allegation of cheating of Rs.15 crores was made by the Defendant against the Plaintiffs in the said Legal Notice, stated the suit. The said Legal Notice dated 04.02.2023 was also aptly replied to by the Plaintiffs vide their Reply notice dated March 02, 2023. Now, the Defendant MS Dhoni through a Power of Attorney holder Seemant Lohani has filed a complaint dated October 27, 2023, before the court of Judicial Magistrate, Ranchi at Jharkhand anaying the Plaintiffs as accused and claiming that the Plaintiffs cheated the Defendant to the tune of Rs. 15 crores.