Manoj Badale, the principal owner of Rajasthan Royals, has taken legal action against former co-owner Raj Kundra in the London High Court, creating a stir within the IPL community.
- The charge: Blackmail, after Kundra publicly threatened to come out with allegations regarding financial misconduct within the franchise.
What’s the Issue?
The dispute stems from Raj Kundra’s claim that he was misled in exiting the Rajasthan Royals in 2019. He alleges that important financial information was obscured from him and that he was offered neither the fair value for the exit of his stake.
Badale, on the other hand, maintains that Kundra had signed a confidential settlement at that time; therefore, his threats to go public in order to extort more money now amount to blackmail.
Legal Action in London
Badale has sued Raj Kundra in the London High Court, alleging that he violated the terms of a confidentiality agreement signed in 2019. The lawsuit contends that Kundra has been pressuring Badale for more payments by threatening to expose sensitive information. Badale’s lawyers have branded these maneuvers as blackmail and added that Kundra’s emails and public threats have crossed the legal line.
What Did Kundra Say?
In late May, Kundra posted on LinkedIn and other platforms: I will soon be releasing documented evidence exposing serious financial misconduct, money laundering through offshore structures, and hidden transactions involving a key promoter of the Rajasthan Royals.
- He further claimed that prominent individuals within the Rajasthan Royals organization undermined his rights as a co-promoter and tampered with shareholder agreements.
- He announced a press conference to release the documents but canceled it after the court intervened.
Court’s Response
Interim Injunction – On May 30, the London High Court granted a temporary injunction against Raj Kundra, restricting him from disclosing any more information publicly for the time being.
Kundra has agreed to comply with the court’s order but his legal team is quick to clarify: This shouldn’t be mistaken for an admission of guilt. According to them, Kundra isn’t backing down; he’s simply trying to bring the truth to light, even if the path forward is legally complicated.
From Partner to Pariah: The Backstory
Raj Kundra first became involved with the Rajasthan Royals in 2009, stepping into the IPL spotlight alongside his wife, Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty, with an 11.7% ownership stake. But everything changed after the 2013 IPL betting controversy. Kundra was banned from participating in cricket-related activities, and his stake in the team eventually disappeared.
In the years since, Manoj Badale has solidified his control of the franchise, bringing in heavyweight global investors like RedBird Capital and media mogul Lachlan Murdoch to expand the Royals’ reach beyond India’s borders.
What’s Next?
The court will now determine whether Kundra’s claims are legitimate or amount to extortion. The final judgment could reshape ownership ethics across the IPL, setting a precedent on how disputes are handled and settlements honored.
Conclusion
The Rajasthan Royals case is more than just a legal dispute it’s a test of trust, contracts, and corporate transparency in one of cricket’s richest leagues. With both parties standing their ground, this courtroom drama is one the IPL world will closely watch.
Written by RITESH SINGH
