Supreme Court Issues Notice On Jiostar Plea For Arbitrator In Dispute Over IPL Media Rights For Bangladesh

The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice in an arbitration petition filed by Jiostar India Pvt. Ltd. seeking appointment of an arbitrator in a dispute with UAE-based Green Bean Sports Marketing arising out of a media rights sub-licence agreement relating to the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the territory of Bangladesh.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi, after hearing counsel, directed issuance of notice returnable on May 15, 2026.

The petition has been filed under Sections 11(5), 11(6), 11(9) and 11(12)(a) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act seeking appointment of a sole arbitrator in terms of the arbitration clause contained in the Media Rights Sub-License Agreement executed between the parties.

The dispute arises from a Media Rights Sub-License Agreement dated March 30, 2023, under which Jiostar granted Green Bean Sports Marketing a sublicense of media rights relating to the IPL seasons 2023–2027 for the territory of Bangladesh. The agreement was subsequently amended on March 1, 2024, revising the rights fee payable under the arrangement.

According to the petition, the contractual relationship between the parties deteriorated around October 2024 after the petitioner terminated another sublicensing agreement relating to Premier League rights following alleged defaults by the respondent. Invoking the cross-default clause under the IPL agreement, Jiostar issued a termination notice dated January 9, 2025, bringing the arrangement to an end.

The petitioner thereafter issued a demand notice dated February 18, 2025 seeking payment of outstanding dues, which was disputed by the respondent in its reply dated March 8, 2025.

The petition states that since the respondent failed to discharge its contractual obligations, the petitioner invoked the dispute resolution clause contained in Clause 27 of the agreement and issued an invocation notice dated December 1, 2025 calling upon the respondent to appoint its nominee arbitrator.

As the respondent allegedly failed to act within the stipulated period, Jiostar filed the present petition on March 6, 2026 seeking appointment of an arbitrator by the Supreme Court.

The Court has issued notice and listed the matter for further hearing on May 15, 2026.