Money Laundering Allegations Against IPL Franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad: Family Feud or Financial Fraud?

Mumbai: The future of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad is now under a cloud of uncertainty as serious allegations of money laundering have been levied against the franchise and its CEO, Kavya Maran’s father, Nethi Maran.
According to media reports, Kavya Maran’s brother, Diwani Dhi Maran, has made grave accusations against their father, Nethi Maran, who is also the Chairman of the company. Diwani Dhi, the founder of Sun TV Network and a former politician, has accused Nethi Maran and the owners of Sunrisers Hyderabad of financial misconduct, fraud, and money laundering.
Family Feud or Billion-Dollar Fraud?
In a legal notice, Diwani Dhi Maran claims that Nethi Maran manipulated shareholding structures in the family’s media empire, starting from 2003 when their father, Mursoli Maran, was severely ill, leaving the family vulnerable. He alleges that Nethi Maran acquired 1.2 million shares at just 10 INR per share, despite their market value being 2,500 to 3,000 INR per share at the time. As a result, the family’s shareholding dropped from 50% to just 20%, causing a loss of approximately 3,498.8 crore INR.
Alleged Use of Illegally Acquired Funds
Diwani Dhi also claims that Nethi Maran used these ill-gotten gains to acquire several companies and assets, including Sun Direct TV, Kala Airways, Kala Radios, SpiceJet Airlines, and even IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad, among others. According to Diwani Dhi, funds obtained through criminal activities were used to purchase these assets, which he argues constitutes a violation of the Money Laundering Act.
Money Laundering and IPL Involvement
The most serious allegation revolves around the purchase of Sunrisers Hyderabad, with Diwani Dhi claiming that the franchise was bought using money obtained through illegal means, thus tainting the reputation of the IPL team. This has sparked concerns over the future of the franchise within the IPL.
Legal Demands
Diwani Dhi Maran is demanding that Nethi Maran and his wife, Kavya Maran, return all shares and assets to their original 2003 state, and reimburse the profits and income they gained over the years. Failure to comply, he warns, will result in both criminal and civil lawsuits.
Past Family Disputes
Further complicating matters, Diwani Dhi revealed that Nethi Maran had reportedly paid his sister, Anbarkasi, 500 crore INR in 2024 under a private settlement to prevent her from pursuing legal action.
This case is no longer just a family dispute but involves significant corporate fraud, corruption, and money laundering allegations that could have serious implications for both Sun TV and its subsidiaries, including Sunrisers Hyderabad, putting the future of the IPL franchise in jeopardy.