Factual
Baseline Ventures sends legal notice to Discovery Communications
Mumbai: Baseline Ventures has filed a legal notice to Discovery Communications India for fulfilling a pending payment owed to it by the Volleyball Federation of India.
Discovery Communications is set to enter a contract with the Volleyball Federation of India for the purpose of telecasting the recently announced Volleyball League on their Eurosports channels.
According to a ruling dated 21 November 2020, an arbitral tribunal presided by retired justice K Kannan had directed the Volleyball Federation of India to pay a sum of Rs four crore with 12 per cent per annum in interest and a sum of Rs five lakh as costs to Baseline Ventures.
In the legal notice, Baseline Ventures, IP owner of Prime Volleyball League, noted that the volleyball body failed to comply with the payment, resulting in the sports marketing and promotion company filing an execution petition before the Madras high court for a sum of Rs 4,53,86,509, along with future interest. The legal notice also mentioned that the revised payment has also not been paid.
“Baseline is owed over Rs six crore by this body as decided by the courts. On hearing that Discovery Sport wants to broadcast this, we have made them a party to this sum as they are signing a contract with the same body. Discovery needs to be aware of the legal history of this agreement and the dues still owed to us,” said Prime Volleyball League CEO Joy Bhattacharjya.
At the same time, the secretary-general of the Volleyball Federation of India Mohd Akram Khan also wrote to Discovery Communications India, noting that the inception of the Volleyball League set to be broadcasted on the channel by the name of EuroSports, was created by a small unrecognised faction of Volleyball Federation of India. The notice also added that the same faction had conducted a parallel election in the federation and was not approved by any constitutional authority and the status of the election is being decided by the Supreme Court.
The ministry of youth affairs and sports have not renewed the recognition of the Volleyball Federation of India for the term 2020-24 and there are no office bearers of VFI in the records of the ministry, stated the legal notice. “The so-called ‘VFI’ is not recognized by the ministry of youth affairs and sport since 2020,” Bhattacharjya added.
“We challenge this so-called VFI to provide evidence that FIVB, the world volleyball body, is actually supporting this event as claimed. If they cannot provide the same, they are cheating players and the public.” he further said.
MUMBAI: India’s most famous hot seat is about to welcome an unlikely first-timer. For the first time on Hindi general entertainment television, industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla will appear on Kaun Banega Crorepati, the iconic quiz show hosted by Amitabh Bachchan.
The special episode marks a rare meeting point of boardroom heft and prime-time television, bringing one of India’s most influential business leaders face to face with the country’s most enduring screen legend. It is a crossover that blends intellect, leadership and popular culture, all under KBC’s familiar spotlight.
Birla’s appearance dovetails neatly with the show’s current theme, Jahaan Akal Hai, Wahan Akad Hai, which celebrates the confidence that comes from clarity of thought and knowledge. His presence lends weight to the idea that sharp thinking and conviction are as vital in life as they are in the quiz chair.
In a thoughtful conversation with Bachchan, Birla shared an upbeat view of India’s economic journey, pointing to the nation’s rapid growth and the scale of opportunity opening up across industries and communities. He spoke of momentum, ambition and a future shaped by enterprise and ideas.
The episode is not all serious talk. In lighter moments, Birla confessed his long-standing admiration for Bachchan, calling him his favourite actor and admitting to a touch of nervousness at answering questions in front of the Shahenshah himself. The candour adds a human touch to a man more often seen in headlines than on television sets.
The special episode airs on Monday, 29 December at 9.00 pm on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV.
