MS Dhoni alleges misuse of name by mobile company
MS Dhoni has alleged that mobile firm Maxx Mobilink is using his name and projecting him as brand ambassador, despite their contract being terminated in 2012. In a 2014 order, the Delhi High Court had directed the company to "refrain from selling any products" using Dhoni's name. Dhoni also alleged the company had defaulted on paying the cricketer his dues.
New Delhi, Jan 29 (PTI) Ace cricketer and former India captain M S Dhoni has alleged before Delhi High Court that a mobile firm was still using his name by projecting him as its brand ambassador despite termination of the agreement between them way back in December 2012. The High Court pulled up the top official of Maxx Mobilink Pvt Ltd after taking note of the plea of former captain that its orders have been defied by the firm. "Why are you (Maxx) not complying with the order? You have to follow the courts direction...both parties are directed to comply with the order dated April 21, 2016 before the next date of hearing that is July 28," Justice Manmohan said. The court was hearing a petition filed by Dhoni seeking initiation of contempt proceedings against the companys CMD Ajjay Agarwal for defying its November 17, 2014 direction asking Maxx Mobilink to "refrain from selling any products" which uses the name of the cricketer in commercials. The court had also passed a similar order on April 21 last year asking Agarwal to inform about the steps taken to comply with the 2014 direction asking the firm to refrain from selling any product, claiming to be endorsed by Dhoni. The recent direction came after Dhonis counsel Suchinto Chatterji alleged that the firm has not yet complied with its previous directions. Advocate Sanjeev Bhandari, appearing for the firm, said it never indulged in misusing Dhonis name to take any advantage. Dhoni had an endorsement agreement with the company which had expired in December 2012. Earlier, the court had asked Maxx to give details of the steps taken by it to remove Dhonis name and photograph from its social media sites including its website and Facebook. 