The Jharkhand State Housing Board has issued a notice to former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for allegedly misusing a residential plot in Ranchi, an official confirmed on Friday.
As per the notification, the land allotted to the Indian World Cup captain was exclusively for residential purposes. However, authorities say the property is allegedly being used for commercial activities, a violation of the terms under which the land was granted.
Jharkhand Housing Board Chairman Sanjay Lal Paswan told Aaj Tak over the phone that the Housing Board had actually allotted the land for residential purposes to several people. However, when reports surfaced that the ground was being used for commercial purposes, not only Dhoni but several officials and dozens of others were served notices asking why the ground was being used commercially.
Paswan further explained that the alleged “violation of norms and regulations” came to light during an investigation conducted by the board. Following the results of this investigation, Dhoni was issued with a final notice seeking an explanation regarding the reported misappropriation of assets.
The official added that if there is no compliance with the notice or a satisfactory response, the board may initiate proceedings to cancel the allotment of land. He stated that such measures will be taken in accordance with established procedures and applicable regulations governing the use of residential land.
Dhoni who currently resides in his newly built residence on Ring Road in Ranchihe used to live in a property on Harmu Road which is now under control. The controversy arose after allegations emerged that the diagnostic facility was being operated from the Harmu Road premises, prompting the Housing Board to launch a formal investigation into the matter.
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At the same time, similar allegations regarding the alleged use of residential land for non-residential or commercial purposes also surfaced in relation to the state office of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is also located on Harmu Road. The board had previously issued a notice in connection with this case.
Officials said investigations into both matters are currently underway and next steps will be determined based on the outcome of those investigations. They emphasized that appropriate action will be taken depending on the conclusions drawn from the findings.
Dhoni could not be contacted for his response at the time of reporting. On the cricket front, Dhoni will next be seen playing for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026).
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Issued by:
Rishabh Beniwal
Published on:
27 Feb 2026 23:57 IST
