A Gurgaon-based startup CEO and a former employee of Shikhar Dhawan have been named in an FIR for allegedly cheating the ex-India cricketer. They have also been accused of using Dhawan’s photos and videos illegally for brand endorsements during the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai.
The FIR was filed after Dhawan’s company, DaOne Group, submitted a complaint to the police.
Expired Deal Renewed Without Permission
According to the complaint, the two men pretended to be Dhawan’s authorized agents. They allegedly renewed an expired endorsement deal with a company for money. The former employee now runs a company called Elevate Athletes Creators Ecosystem. He is accused of using his past connection with Dhawan to mislead clients.
Dhawan had attended the Asia Cup. He was shocked to see his photos and videos playing on stadium screens, promoting a brand. This happened even though he had no active agreement with the company. DaOne Group later found out that the deal had been renewed for one more year. The renewal was done through an agreement signed on March 10, 2025, between Elevate Athletes and Parthtech Developers.
Believing it to be real, Parthtech paid INR 40 lakh for the extension. The money was allegedly taken completely by the accused.
The complaint explained that Dhawan’s original contract with Parthtech was valid from April 16, 2024, to April 15, 2025. The former employee had signed that deal during his time as CEO of DaOne Group. His authority ended when he left the company in September 2024. It also ended when the contract expired in April 2025.
A senior police officer confirmed action on the complaint.
“After receiving the complaint, we have registered the FIR. the individuals concerned will be called to join the investigation and appropriate legal action will be taken against them,” the officer said, as quoted by Times of India.
However, the ex-employee reportedly continued to present himself publicly as Shikhar Dhawan’s official representative. The complaint claimed the two also created a fake representation agreement dated December 20, 2024. This document falsely suggested that Elevate Athletes had exclusive rights to manage Dhawan’s endorsements.
The startup founder denied wrongdoing.
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“Since we all are from the same industry, it cannot happen that we endorsed him without informing him,” he said.
DaOne Group said the accused may still have forged documents that could mislead more clients. They requested police to recover them quickly.
Police have registered the FIR under sections 316(2), 318(4), 336(3), 338, 340, and 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
