Legal Battle Brews Over Rajasthan Royals Ownership as Manoj Badale Sues Raj Kundra In UK Court

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The long-running ownership dispute surrounding Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals has taken a legal turn in London, as the team's majority owner Manoj Badale has filed a lawsuit against former co-owner Raj Kundra.

The case, currently being heard in the London High Court, centers around claims of breach of a confidential settlement and alleged attempts at blackmail.

Badale, a London-based venture capitalist, and his firm Emerging Media Ventures, which controls a 65% stake in the Rajasthan Royals, have accused Kundra of violating a 2019 confidential agreement.

According to legal documents, Kundra, a businessman and husband of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, has been making serious allegations against Badale and allegedly threatened to escalate the matter to Indian authorities and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Representing Badale, lawyer Adam Speker stated that Kundra had sent emails and messages alleging he had been deceived regarding the value of his former 11.7% stake in the franchise. Kundra had lost this stake after he was found guilty of involvement in betting on IPL matches in 2015-a controversy that resulted in both him and Rajasthan Royals being suspended from the league for two seasons.

In his recent communication with Badale, Kundra alleged financial misconduct and suggested that he had already filed a formal complaint in India. He reportedly sought either reinstatement of his original equity or financial compensation that reflects the current market value of the franchise, which is now part of a tournament estimated to be worth over $12 billion.

Adding to the drama, court documents revealed that Kundra also messaged Lalit Modi, the disgraced former IPL commissioner, implying that Badale would face consequences for "cheating me of the true value."

In response, Badale and Emerging Media Ventures secured an interim court order on May 30, restraining Kundra from violating the terms of their previous settlement by making defamatory statements.

Representing Kundra, lawyer William McCormick confirmed his client would not contest the interim injunction at this stage and agreed it should remain in place until the matter proceeds to a full trial.

As tensions rise off the field, the case promises to shed light on the often opaque world of IPL franchise ownership, with significant financial implications hanging in the balance.