MS Dhoni's ex-business partner arrested for fraud after CSK star files criminal case

MS Dhoni’s ex-business partner arrested for fraud after CSK star files criminal case

Former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s ex-business partner, Mihir Diwakar, has been arrested for alleged fraud following a criminal case filed by the legendary cricketer himself. The case revolves around offences under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Sections 406, 420, 467, 468, 471, and 120B. The complaint was lodged at the District Court Ranchi against Aarka Sports Management Pvt Ltd., of which Diwakar was a director, along with Soumya Das.

Mihir Diwakar has been taken into custody by the Jaipur police on allegations of unauthorized use of the name of former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the establishment of a cricket academy in Jaipur. This arrest comes in response to accusations that Diwakar purportedly misrepresented his association with Dhoni to open the academy, despite Dhoni having withdrawn authorization for the use of his name. The case underscores the importance of protecting intellectual property rights and highlights the legal consequences of misusing a prominent individual’s name for personal gain. Despite Dhoni revoking the authority of Aarka Sports Management Pvt Ltd. on August 15, 2021, Diwakar continued to operate cricket academies both in India and abroad using Dhoni’s name. He allegedly accepted franchise fees for academies such as the MS Dhoni Cricket Academy and MS Dhoni Sports Academy, leading to a purported fraud of over 15 crores INR.

The arrest of the accused took place in Jaipur, with Mihir Diwakar apprehended from Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida) and subsequently transferred to Jaipur. The arrest follows a previous FIR lodged against him in Jaipur’s Karni Vihar police station on charges of cheating.

According to Jaipur Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph, the case against Diwakar stemmed from allegations of fraudulent activities related to the establishment of a cricket academy in the name of Mahendra Singh Dhoni in Jaipur’s Gandhi Path area. It was reported that Diwakar had collected funds for the academy, despite Dhoni having withdrawn authorization for the use of his name.

Diwakar’s arrest underscores the seriousness of the allegations and the legal actions taken by Dhoni to address the purported fraud. The case sheds light on the importance of protecting intellectual property rights and the consequences of misusing a prominent individual’s name for personal gain.

As the legal proceedings unfold, it remains to be seen how the case will progress and what implications it might have for both the accused and the former cricketing icon. For now, the arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battle between Dhoni and his ex-business partner, highlighting the need for vigilance in business partnerships and the enforcement of legal remedies in cases of alleged fraud.