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Rajasthan Royals Owner Accuses Raj Kundra Of Breaching Settlement In UK Court

Rajgeeta Yadav

Rajasthan Royals Owner Accuses Raj Kundra [Source: @rajasthanroyals and @Marwaa60/X.com]Rajasthan Royals Owner Accuses Raj Kundra [Source: @rajasthanroyals and @Marwaa60/X.com]

A serious legal battle has erupted between the current majority owner of the Rajasthan Royals and former co-owner Raj Kundra. Manoj Badale, who owns most of the IPL team through his company Emerging Media Ventures, has taken Kundra to court in London. Badale claims that Kundra is trying to blackmail him over a dispute about the value of his past ownership in the team.

The Dispute Over A 2019 Settlement

At the heart of the case is a confidential settlement from 2019. Badale’s legal team says Kundra broke the agreement by suddenly reaching out last month with accusations. In his email, Kundra claimed he had been "misled and defrauded" of the true value of his 11.7% stake in the Royals. Kundra also said he had already filed a complaint with Indian authorities and threatened to inform the BCCI.

Allegations of Blackmail And Threats

In court, Badale’s lawyer Adam Speker said Kundra's actions appeared to be a blackmail attempt. He alleged Kundra was using threats of serious legal complaints in India to pressure Badale into giving him either his old stake back or a compensation based on the team’s current value. Kundra’s lawyer, however, responded by saying these were not threats, and that the injunction was accepted without admitting to any wrongdoing.

Raj Kundra’s Past Involvement With Rajasthan Royals

Raj Kundra, who is married to Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, was once a part-owner of the RR. But in 2015, he lost his stake after being found guilty of betting on IPL matches. This led to the team being banned for two years. Since then, Kundra has not been involved in the franchise, but his recent actions suggest he is trying to claim what he believes he is owed.

To protect himself and his company, Badale secured a court order on May 30 that stops Kundra from making negative public statements or breaking the terms of their earlier settlement. The order will stay in place until the full trial of the case.

Rajasthan Royals, who won the first-ever IPL in 2008, have seen several changes in ownership over the years. Today, Badale’s company holds the majority 65% stake. US-based RedBird Capital owns 15%, and notable media figure Lachlan Murdoch is also one of the investors. 

After its suspension period ended in 2018, the team welcomed back former captain Shane Warne as a minority shareholder, and since then, the Royals have grown into one of the IPL's most valuable franchises, now estimated to be worth $12 billion.

It is important to note that the case is still ongoing, and the London High Court will eventually decide whether Kundra’s claims are valid or not. Until then, Kundra is barred from speaking publicly against Badale or making any more accusations that could breach their agreement.