All is not well in Punjab Kings! Preity Zinta moves court; here’s the reason

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Bollywood actress and Punjab Kings co-owner Preity Zinta has initiated legal proceedings against her fellow co-directors Mohit Burman and Ness Wadia. The dispute centers around the legitimacy of an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held on April 21, 2025, by KPH Dream Cricket Private Limited, the company that owns the Punjab Kings franchise.

Preity, who holds a 23% stake in KPH Dream Cricket Private Limited, has filed a civil suit in a Chandigarh court seeking to declare the April 21 EGM illegal and invalid. She alleges that the meeting was convened and conducted in violation of the Companies Act, 2013, and secretarial standards. According to her petition, the meeting did not follow the proper procedures required under company law and relevant secretarial regulations.

The controversy escalated when Zinta raised objections to the meeting via an email dated April 10, which she claims were ignored. Despite her dissent and the presence of director Karan Paul, both Zinta and Paul opposed the nomination of Muneesh Khanna as a new director during the EGM. Nevertheless, Burman, with the support of Wadia, proceeded with the meeting and the appointment of Khanna.

A key point of contention was the appointment of the chairperson for the meeting. Zinta and Paul objected to Ness Wadia being appointed chairperson, citing Principle 5.1 of Secretarial Standards, which mandates that directors elect a chairperson among themselves if none is pre-designated. The vote for chairperson was split among the four attending directors, further complicating the legality of the meeting proceedings.

In her legal filing, Zinta has sought a court declaration to nullify the EGM and prevent Muneesh Khanna from assuming directorial responsibilities. She has also requested an injunction to stop the company from implementing any decisions made during the disputed meeting. Additionally, the suit seeks to bar the company from conducting any further board or general meetings without the presence of both Zinta and Paul, and without Khanna’s involvement, until the case is resolved.

The court has issued notices to the respondents – KPH Dream Cricket Private Limited and co-directors Mohit Burman and Ness Wadia – and scheduled the next hearing for May 27, where arguments on an interim injunction will be presented.

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Despite the legal turmoil off the field, Punjab Kings have been enjoying a successful IPL 2025 campaign. Under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer, the team has qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2014, currently standing third in the points table with 17 points from 12 matches. The franchise and its fans are hopeful of a strong finish this season, with upcoming crucial matches against Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians.

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