Dhoni files plea against mobile phone company
Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Monday filed a contempt of court plea in the Delhi High Court against mobile phone company Maxx mobilink, for using his image despite court directions. Dhoni had obtained injunction orders against Maxx from the Delhi High court in November 2014, banning the company from using his image or name on any product. Final orders in the case had been passed on January 22 this year.
The fresh petition, through law firm C and C Associates, has claimed that Maxx had continued to use Dhoni’s name and image, “in direct violation” of court orders. During arguments before the court of justice Suresh Kait, advocate Rajneesh Chopra, appearing on Dhoni’s behalf, said that the company had continued to use the cricketer’s image and videos on their website and facebook page.
The lawyer also alleged that Maxx had also continued sales of the MSD 07 Phone, which had been named after Dhoni and contained his jersey number, along with images of the cricketer on the box containing the phone.
“The respondent has committed willful contempt, and have also substantially interfered with the administration of justice,” claims the plea.
The court has for now issued notice to Maxx CMD Ajjay Aggarwal, seeking his reply on why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him, and has sought his response to the contempt plea by July 22.
The contempt plea has sought seizure of all mobile handsets and other material using Dhoni’s name and image, as well as orders to withdraw “all the advertisement campaigns and other such advertisements on any medium including its website and facebook profile” using the cricketer’s name and image.
