Rajasthan Royals stake deal faces legal challenge from Somani Group

New Delhi: Lakshmi Niwas Mittal, his son Aditya Mittal, and Adar Poonawalla have acquired a significant stake in the Rajasthan Royals for approximately $1.65 billion (roughly ₹15,600 crore). The Mittal family will now hold a 75 percent stake in the team, while Adar Poonawalla will own 18 percent. The remaining 7 percent stake will remain with existing investors, including Manoj Badale. Rajasthan-born Lakshmi Mittal expressed his delight over the deal, describing it as an opportunity to reconnect with his roots; however, this joy appears short-lived, as a former contender—the Somani Group—has decided to challenge the entire process.

**Somani Group Levels Serious Allegations and Issues Legal Notice**

According to a report by *Cricbuzz*, the Somani-led consortium is preparing to launch a legal battle against this deal. Sources within the Somani Group state that they intend to dispatch a legal notice regarding this matter as early as today, and the BCCI will also be apprised of the dispute. The group claims that they had been ready to close the deal for the past 10 days, but the process was deliberately stalled to facilitate a 'side deal' with the Mittal family through the back door. The Somani Group is currently consulting with its PR and legal teams in the U.S. to determine the extent to which this matter should be made public.

**Major Questions Raised Regarding Transparency in the Deal**

The Somani consortium alleges that they had submitted hundreds of queries regarding the status of the BCCI's outstanding dues and pending legal matters, none of which received satisfactory responses. They contend that despite being fully prepared to finalize the deal, they were not treated with transparency; instead, an agreement with the Mittal family was abruptly announced. The Somani Group asserts that regulations have been completely disregarded throughout this entire process. Should this matter proceed to court, it could create significant difficulties for the new Rajasthan Royals board—a body that includes Lakshmi Mittal, Aditya Mittal, Vanisha Mittal-Bhatia, and Adar Poonawalla.

**Global Franchises and Future Uncertainty**

The Rajasthan Royals franchise is not confined solely to the IPL; it also owns the Paarl Royals in South Africa and the Barbados Royals in the Caribbean. Consequently, this legal dispute could potentially impact its global operations as well. Manoj Badale, who is set to serve as a bridge within the new board, welcomed Mittal and Poonawalla, describing them as the rightful custodians of the franchise. However, the Somani Group's firm stance has made it abundantly clear that the path ahead for one of the most expensive deals in IPL history will be anything but smooth. All eyes are now fixed on the BCCI's stance and the impending legal notices.