Arbitration Dispute: Delhi High Court Restrains DB Dixon Battery From Using Images Of Shikhar Dhawan While Promoting Its Products

The Delhi High Court on Friday restrained DB Dixon Battery Private Limited, manufacturer of lead acid storage batteries, from using the images of former cricketer of the India Men's National Cricket Team Shikhar Dhawan while promoting its products.

Justice Subramonium Prasad issued notice on a plea filed by Dhawan for interim injunction to restrain DB Dixon Battery Private Limited from using his images while promoting its lead acid storage batteries.

The plea has been filed under Section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, on the basis of an arbitration clause contained in the Endorsement Agreement executed in August last year between Dhawan and the battery manufacturer entity.

Justice Prasad also issued notice on another plea filed under Section 11 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act for appointment of a Sole Arbitrator to adjudicate the dispute.

“The respondent is directed not to use the endorsement of the petitioner till the next date of hearing. List on February 18,” the Court said.

Dhawan is represented by Advocate Rizwan.

In 2020, an endorsement agreement was signed between the parties to engage Dhawan's services for promoting the products. It has been claimed that despite expiry of the term in January 2022, DB Dixon Battery continued using Dhawan's images.

In July last year, the parties entered into a fresh Endorsement Agreement after which first instalment was paid to the cricketer. However, the since remaining instalments were unpaid, a legal notice was sent to the entity to clear the remaining payment.

On November 28, 2024, Dhawan terminated the Endorsement Agreement with immediate effect directing the manufacturing entity to immediately cease the use of his images on all platforms.

Next month, a notice was sent to DB Dixon Battery by Dhawan invoking arbitration in accordance with a clause of the Endorsement Agreement to resolve the disputes through arbitration.

However, since the entity failed to tender a reply to the said notice invoking arbitration, Dhawan filed petitions before the Court.

Title: SHIKHAR DHAWAN v. DB DIXON BATTERY PRIVATE LIMITED

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Del) 53