Jaipur: The authorities are currently interrogating Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s ex-business associate, who has been taken into custody on allegations of defrauding an individual for a sum of Rs 12 lakh. Mihir Diwakar stands accused of misleading a Jaipur resident under the guise of establishing a cricket academy under MS Dhoni’s name.
Diwakar was produced before the court by the Karni Vihar Police and subsequently placed in custody. He is currently under scrutiny by law enforcement.
Law enforcement officials disclosed that Dhoni had previously partnered with Diwakar in the firm M/s Arka Sports Management Pvt. Ltd. Diwakar, an erstwhile cricketer, had played alongside Dhoni in the Ranji team.
The partnership entailed the creation of cricket academies across India, with profits to be shared with the cricketer. Upon discovering that the terms of the agreement were not being followed, Dhoni terminated the partnership on August 15, 2021. Nevertheless, Diwakar persisted in using Dhoni’s name in his endeavors.
As per Jaipur Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph, Jaidev, a resident of Sirsi Road in Jaipur, lodged a fraud complaint alleging a loss of Rs 12 lakh due to a cricket academy initiative on March 4, 2023. Consequently, a case was registered against Diwakar, director of M/s Arka Sports Management Pvt. Ltd, his spouse Soumya Das, and other officials Rohit Jaggi and Ajay Bohra.
The complaint stated that the accused had misappropriated Rs 12 lakh under the pretext of offering a cricket academy franchise using MS Dhoni’s name. However, despite receiving the funds, the accused failed to establish the academy or return the money, according to the complaint.
Following the complaint, police initiated an investigation. During the inquiry, police conducted a raid in Noida on Wednesday night and apprehended Diwakar.
He was subsequently transferred from Noida to the Karni Vihar police station in Jaipur on Thursday. Presented before the court, Diwakar was placed on remand for a day. Upon further questioning, the police produced him before the court on Friday and secured an additional day of remand. Diwakar is slated to be presented in court once more on Saturday.
In January 2024, Dhoni lodged a fraud complaint against Diwakar in Ranchi. Following this, the accused countered with a defamation lawsuit against Dhoni.