Harbhajan slaps legal notice on UB Group for Dhoni ad
July 18th, 2011 - 10:26 pm ICT by IANS
New Delhi/Bangalore, July 18 (IANS) Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has sent a legal notice to Vijay Mallya-owned UB Group over an advertisement of McDowell’s No. 1 Platinum featuring his team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
In the ad, Dhoni ridicules Harbhajan, who is the brand ambassador for Pernod Ricard’s Royal Stag. McDowell’s and Royal Stag are the competing whiskey brands. Alcohol advertising is banned in India but this is done through the surrogate route.
Harbhajan’s lawyers, Dewani Advocates and Consultants, have served a legal notice stating that the McDowell’s No. 1 Platinum commercial makes a mockery of Harbhajan, his family and the Sikh community.
Prakesh Mirpuri, vice president (corporate communication of UB Group), said the company was yet to receive the legal notice from Harbhajan’s lawyers.
“No comments at this point of time, as we are yet to receive the (legal) notice. We will respond at an appropriate time,” Mirupuri told IANS.
The legal notice seeks an “unconditional public apology to Bhajji’s family in all widely read newspapers as well as television channels prominently” and withdrawal of the commercial within three days of receiving it.
“My client is serving you with the instant notice to give you an opportunity to accept your mistake and make amends. Failing this, we will have no other alternative than to take appropriate legal action including that of filing proceedings for defamation, damages and all such civil as well as criminal actions,” said the notice, signed by lawyer Shyam Dewani.
- McDowell's No.1 Platinum sells 30 million bottles - Apr 12, 2011
- Royal Wahingdoh qualify for main phase of Federation Cup - Sep 13, 2011
- McDowell holds steady as star-studded field falls apart - Jun 21, 2010
- Ireland on track to win Mission Hills Golf World Cup - Nov 26, 2011
- Arnab, Clifford ruled out from AFC Challenge Cup - Mar 02, 2012
- United Spirits Q2 net profit up 7.18 percent - Oct 28, 2010
- 'Britain's Got Talent' winner to perform before Queen - Jun 05, 2011
- Four new faces in India squad for Bayern Munich game - Dec 28, 2011
- Hong Kong Open: Jeev tied sixth; Bhullar, Chowrasia tied 36th - Nov 20, 2010
- New US Open champion McDowell planning long and boozy celebration - Jun 22, 2010
- McDowell becomes first Irishman to win US Open - Jun 21, 2010
- Annie Lennox honoured for charity work in Africa - Dec 31, 2010
- Arjun Atwal second at Heritage, one shot behind leader - Apr 22, 2011
- Cuba expects to sell four million cases of rum in 2011 - Apr 12, 2011
- Woods US Open title hopes go up in smoke - Jun 21, 2010
Tags: advocates, alcohol advertising, ambassador, bangalore, corporate communication, criminal actions, defamation, harbhajan singh, mahendra singh dhoni, mockery, New Delhi, pernod ricard, public apology, royal stag, sikh community, spinner, team captain, television channels, ub group, whiskey