IPL: Rajasthan Royals owner accuses former co-owner of blackmail in UK court
Badale's lawyer Adam Speker said Kundra, who is married to Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty, had threatened to report serious allegations to Indian authorities in a "blackmail attempt".Kundra, however, says he has been told information about the claimants and his lawyer William McCormick that, if that is not true, "in due course it will be exposed".Kundra had to forfeit his 11.7% stake after being found guilty in 2015 of betting on IPL games in a scandal which led to the Rajasthan Royals being suspended for two years, Speker said.He added in court filings that Kundra emailed Badale "out of the blue" last month, alleging he had been "misled and defrauded of the rightful value of my 11.7% stake".advertisementThe email to Badale said Kundra had filed a complaint with Indian authorities and threatened to make a report to India's Cricket Board (BCCI).Kundra added, however, that he was willing to discuss a deal involving "the restoration of my original equity or compensation reflecting the true and current valuation of the Rajasthan Royals franchise".Speker said Kundra also messaged disgraced IPL founder Lalit Modi this month, saying Badale "did not realise cheating me of the true value would cost him dearly".Badale and his Emerging Media Ventures, which holds a 65% stake in Rajasthan Royals, obtained an interim injunction against Kundra on May 30, preventing Kundra from breaching the settlement agreement by making disparaging statements.Kundra's lawyer McCormick said Kundra accepted the injunction should continue until a full trial of the lawsuit."It is not an admission that anything improper has been done or is being threatened," McCormick said.- EndsYou May Also Like
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
a minute ago
- First Post
'They bring immeasurable benefits': Irish president condemns ‘despicable' attacks on Indians amid rising hate crimes
Irish President Michael D Higgins has condemned recent attacks on members of the Indian community, calling them 'despicable' and against Ireland's values, as concerns mount over a rise in racially motivated violence. rish President Michael D Higgins on Tuesday strongly condemned recent attacks on members of the Indian community, calling them 'despicable' and a betrayal of Ireland's values. In a statement, Higgins expressed 'deep gratitude' for the Indian community's immense contribution to Irish life, praising their work in medicine, nursing, care, culture, business, and enterprise. 'Their presence, their work, their culture have been a source of enrichment and generosity to our shared life,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD His remarks come amid mounting concern over racially motivated violence. In recent weeks, Indian-origin residents have faced a spate of assaults, prompting the Indian Embassy in Dublin to issue a safety advisory urging citizens to avoid deserted areas and remain vigilant, citing 'an increase in physical attacks' against Indians. Recalling the historical bonds between the two nations, from shared struggles for independence to Irishwoman Margaret Cousins' role in founding the All India Women's Conference, Higgins said such acts of violence 'diminish all of us' and 'obscure the immeasurable benefits the people of India have brought to this country.' He warned that 'messages of hate or incitement to violence,' including those spread on social media, corrode the Irish traditions of hospitality, friendship, and care for others. 'These principles must apply to all who form part of Irish society today, without exception,' he stressed, adding that Ireland must remain a place 'where all communities can live in safety, dignity, and mutual respect.' The warnings follow several violent incidents in recent weeks. On July 19, a 40-year-old Amazon employee from India, in Ireland for just three weeks, was beaten, stabbed in the face, and partially stripped by a teenage gang in Tallaght, Dublin. Authorities are treating the case as a possible hate crime. Jennifer Murray, an Irish woman who intervened, said in a video the next day that 'at least four Indian men and another man have been facially stabbed by this gang of teenagers.' She said the victim required a brain scan and was left 'completely scarred for life.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Hans India
a minute ago
- Hans India
Trade diversification may help India tame US tariff impact
US President Donald Trump's decision to impose higher tariffs on Indian goods threatens to put $30-35 billion worth of exports to the United States at risk, a move that could shave almost a full percentage point off India's GDP growth over the next two years. Economists warn that the impact will be deep and widespread, hitting sectors already struggling with global demand uncertainties and forcing businesses to rethink their export strategies. The Narendra Modi government's response to the situation should reflect poise and pragmatism, not anger. Indian banks are increasing scrutiny of new loan applications from exporters by asking about exposure to the American market and contingency plans for coping with Trump's steep tariffs, as reported by Bloomberg. On the ground, stress is already visible. In Tamil Nadu's Tiruppur, the country's knitwear hub, exporters say orders are 'being paused, redirected, or lost entirely to competitors from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Vietnam, and Cambodia, all of whom have lower US tariffs ranging between 19 per cent and 36 per cent,' according to a news report. The blow is no less severe in Surat, the world's diamond-cutting capital. Several companies were forced to halt processing orders for American clients that had already begun for the Christmas season. Trump's announcement of the additional 25 per cent tariff on diamonds from India came as a shock, particularly because the festive period—just five months away—accounts for nearly half of the annual international sales for many businesses. Industry experts predict that exports of non-industrial diamonds—those intended for jewellery or investment—will be particularly hard hit. According to the Gems & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), India supplied 68 per cent of the US's total diamond imports by volume and 42 per cent by value ($5.79 billion) in 2024. Given such a dominant position, even a partial loss of market share could translate into billions in lost revenue and the potential shuttering of thousands of polishing and cutting units. The Modi government has sought to reassure exporters by promising measures to soften the impact of the new US tariffs. However, such pledges are easier made than fulfilled. Trade diversification to other markets may help in the medium term, but replacing the sheer scale and value of the US market will be challenging. Furthermore, the government's recent geopolitical tilt towards Russia and China—driven by political compulsions—risks complicating efforts to restore trade warmth with Washington. This strategic shift is particularly troubling. While engaging with multiple global partners is a sensible long-term objective, the US remains one of India's most significant economic partners, especially in high-value manufacturing, services, and technology. Deterioration in bilateral economic relations now will only magnify the damage from the tariffs. Rather than recalibrating India's foreign policy in ways that alienate Washington, a more prudent and pragmatic approach would be to prioritise repairing and deepening ties with the US. Doing so will require deft diplomacy, proactive engagement on trade disputes, and perhaps concessions in other areas of the bilateral agenda. India must make the case—both politically and economically—that it is a critical partner in global supply chains, especially as the US seeks to reduce dependence on China. If corrective action is delayed, the fallout will be felt not only in trade statistics but also in employment figures. That will make the situation worse.
Hindustan Times
a minute ago
- Hindustan Times
CSK have to trade R Ashwin and... for Sanju Samson: Chennai offered way out to enforce 'transition from MS Dhoni'
Former Chennai Super Kings star Robin Uthappa reacted to media reports claiming all was not well between Sanju Samson and Rajasthan Royals, prompting the captain to ask the franchise to release or trade him ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction. Uthappa said that, considering RR's decisions during the IPL 2025 season, Samson's reported move was always a writing on the wall. Sanju Samson is reportedly set to part ways with Rajasthan Royals(PTI) Speaking on his YouTube channel, Uthappa pointed out that the Rajasthan Royals already have promising players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, and Riyan Parag filling key batting positions. He questioned where that leaves Samson, suggesting the captain would likely be pushed down to the number four spot—a role he might not want, given that he opens for India. Uthappa further explained that the wicketkeeper-batter probably saw this as a 'writing on the wall,' especially with RR's tendency to back their youngsters. He added that Samson may be trying to stay ahead of the curve by seeking a move now, aiming to open elsewhere and maintain his spot at the top of India's batting order. Uthappa said: "They have both Yashasvi, who has done really well for them, and Suryavanshi has absolutely smacked it out of the park, and Riyan Parag likes to bat at number three. Where does that leave Sanju Samson? A number four spot. Would I want to bat at number four when I am opening for India? Absolutely not. From his perspective, he probably felt that perhaps that won't change at RR, and they back their youngsters, quite a bit, don't they?" "That has been the culture there at RR. So he probably sees it as a writing on the wall, perhaps, and so perhaps, he's trying to get a little bit ahead of the curve a little bit and say, 'let me move now' so that I can go elsewhere and open the batting and still vie for that position at the top of the order in the Indian team. So that's perhaps a small reasoning as well". Uthappa finds a way out for CSK Media reports on Samson's departure from Rajasthan Royals also revealed that Chennai Super Kings have openly expressed interest in signing the India star, viewing him as a perfect replacement for MS Dhoni. However, with Samson's current valuation at INR 18 crore, a trade deal might prove difficult. Just days after the Samson reports, speculation arose that Ravichandran Ashwin might part ways with CSK, fueling rumours of a potential trade between RR and Chennai involving the two players. Although Ashwin clarified why such a trade may not materialise—citing his contract being half Samson's value—Robin Uthappa suggested a solution. He proposed that if Chennai are serious about acquiring Samson, they could trade both Ashwin and Vijay Shankar in exchange for the India batter. "CSK for sure. If they are able to get him and if they are able to snap him up, then it'll do really well for him. I think the transition of MS Dhoni to the next wicketkeeper, they already have in Sanju, so that is already taken care of. Otherwise, they would have to look at, say, at this point, say Devon Conway as a wicketkeeping option. But if he comes onboard, there is a lot of good that can happen for CSK," he said. "What they don't have? They only have Shimron Hetmyer at six. They don't have a finisher at number six or seven. Maybe Sam Curran. Vijay Shankar could be the one who goes with Ashwin as well. That could happen. He's a pretty decent bowler, but they haven't utilised him." "I think perhaps Rajasthan also feel Sanju doesn't want to be there anymore, so if a player doesn't want to be there, why do we have to keep him? Give him what he wants. In that sense, I think it makes sense for them," Uthappa said.
