Bollywood
Raj Kundra Wins Round One in Bombay High Court, Battle Over Rajasthan Royals Stake Begins
On Monday, the Bombay High Court permitted businessman Raj Kundra to challenge an ex parte anti-suit injunction granted by the High Court of England and Wales in relation to his 11.7% stake in IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals, marking Kundra’s win during the first round of the legal battle. Justice Abhay Ahuja granted the permission under Clause XII of the Letters Patent, allowing the institution of the suit on the Original Side of the High Court.
The plea emphasises that Kuki Investments, a Bahamas-based company owned by Raj Kundra, holds 11.70% of the paid-up share capital of Royals Multisport Private Limited, owner of the Rajasthan Royals IPL franchise. It holds the stake via EM Sporting Holdings Limited, an investment vehicle based in Mauritius.
Last year in Mumbai, Raj Kundra approached the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) with a company petition stating oppression and mismanagement against Emerging Media. The allegations featured siphoning of funds, related-party transactions and non-maintenance of fabrication of statutory records. Emerging Media Ventures began proceedings in the High Court of England and Wales and acquired an ex parte anti-suit injunction order on January 29, 2026.
The order holds back Raj Kundra and Kuki Investments from moving forward with NCLT proceedings or starting any proceedings in India against Emerging Media.
Raj Kundra, then, approached the Bombay High Court under Clause XII of Letters Patent, characterising the England order as “non est, violative or principles of natural and unenforceable”. As per his contentment, the anti-suit injunction order was prejudicial to the interests of his company as it prevented it from approaching statutory remedies in India.
On jurisdiction, Kundra stated that the substantial part of the cause of action came up in Mumbai, considering that he resides in the city, the registered office of Royals Multisport is in Mumbai, and the alleged acts of oppression connect to that Indian company and the NCLT proceedings are pending in the city.
The contention was accepted by Justice Ahuja. Now, Raj Kundra has been granted leave to file a suit seeking an anti-enforcement order against the operation of the English anti-suit injunction in India.
Advocates Nausher Kohli and Soham K were briefed by a team from S&T Legal including partner Akshay Gosavi and junior partner Ankit Pitti, who appeared for Raj Kundra and Kuki Investments.
