Delhi High Court Grants Interim Relief To Jiostar In Legends League Cricket Media Rights Dispute

The Delhi High Court has granted interim relief restraining Absolute Legends Sports Private Limited and another from transferring, assigning, or creating any third-party rights in the media and commercial rights relating to the Legends League Cricket Master T20 tournament, in a dispute with Jiostar India Pvt. Ltd., pending arbitration proceedings.

Referring to Jiostar India Pvt. Ltd.'s petition seeking restraint on third-party rights in the tournament's media and commercial rights, the bench of Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar held that,

“In view of the fact that the transfer of the rights as set out in prayer clause (c) would effectively result in a complete erosion of the subject matter of the dispute, this Court is of the prima facie view that it is necessary that the proposed transfer of the same by Respondent No. 1 to Respondent No. 2 be interdicted”.

The court further directed that

“the Respondent No. 1 is therefore interdicted from, in any manner, creating any third-party rights, or transferring, assigning, or otherwise dealing with the media and commercial rights relating to the Legends League Cricket Master T20 tournament”.

The dispute arises out of a commercial arrangement between Jiostar India Pvt. Ltd. and Absolute Legends Sports Private Limited concerning media and commercial rights linked to the Legends League Cricket Master T20 tournament. Jiostar alleged that Absolute Legends owed certain dues and was attempting to deal with the rights in a manner that could undermine its contractual entitlements.

The controversy arose after Absolute Legends sought to transfer or assign the media and commercial rights to another entity, raising concerns that third-party interests could be created in the subject matter of the dispute.

Jiostar approached the High Court under Section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, seeking urgent interim measures, including restraint on transfer of rights, a direction to deposit Rs 3,59,14,775, and protection of amounts generated from the commercial exploitation of the league.

The matter was heard on March 10 and March 11, 2026, when the Court heard the parties at length and the dispute was referred to mediation. The case was later taken up again on March 17 and March 18, 2026, culminating in the present order dated March 18, 2026. The tournament itself was scheduled to commence from March 11, 2026.

Jiostar contended that unless immediate protection was granted, Absolute Legends could create third-party rights in the media and commercial rights, thereby frustrating the arbitration proceedings and defeating its claims. It also sought financial safeguards and disclosure of agreements relating to the league.

Absolute Legends, while not disputing that certain amounts were payable, submitted that efforts were being made to resolve the dispute amicably. The court, however, recorded that no settlement had been reached, primarily due to disagreements over the timelines proposed for repayment. Even on March 18, Absolute Legends sought further time to place a better offer.

The court held that the situation warranted urgent intervention and observed that, irrespective of any settlement proposal, it was necessary to ensure that the assets of Absolute Legends were not transferred in a manner that would create third-party rights, including the intellectual property rights proposed to be assigned.

Emphasising that such a transfer would lead to a “complete erosion” of the subject matter of the dispute, the Court restrained Absolute Legends from creating any third-party rights or transferring, assigning, or otherwise dealing with the media and commercial rights relating to the tournament.

Accordingly, the court granted the relief sought in prayer clause (c) of Jiostar's petition, issued notice to the respondents, granted one week to file a reply and a further week for rejoinder, and listed the matter for further hearing on April 22, 2026.

For Petitioner (Jiostar India Pvt. Ltd.): Advocates Kunal Tandon, Aanchal Tandon, Niti Jain, Ronnie S. Brara, Niharika Sharma, Nitai Agarwal, Natasa.

For Respondent (Absolute Legends Sports Private Limited & Anr.): Advocates Arjun Syal, Shreyan Das, Vidisha Kumar.