Madras High Court orders trial in MS Dhoni’s Rs 100-crore defamation suit against media over 2013 IPL betting allegations, marking a major step in the decade-old legal battle.
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CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has directed the commencement of trial in a Rs 100-crore defamation suit filed by former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni against two media channels and a journalist. The suit stems from allegations linking Dhoni to the 2013 Indian Premier League (IPL) betting and spot-fixing scandal, claims the cricketer has strongly denied.
Court’s Order
Justice C.V. Karthikeyan has appointed an Advocate Commissioner to record Dhoni’s evidence. Notably, the 44-year-old cricket icon will not appear in person. His counsel cited potential public chaos and security concerns due to his immense popularity, emphasizing that his testimony can be recorded through alternate arrangements.
Senior counsel P.R. Raman submitted Dhoni’s affidavit, urging the court to begin proceedings for a fair and speedy adjudication. In the affidavit, Dhoni assured full cooperation with the Advocate Commissioner, stating,
“I shall extend my full co-operation with the Advocate Commissioner and comply with all directions issued by this honourable court regarding the trial and recording of evidence.”
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Background of the Case
In 2014, Dhoni filed a defamation suit seeking damages for remarks made during a televised debate, which he claims were false, malicious, and defamatory. The comments allegedly connected him to illegal betting activities during the 2013 IPL season, one of the most controversial chapters in Indian cricket history.
The 2013 scandal saw the arrest of three players and resulted in the two-year suspension of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Dhoni’s IPL team at the time, and Rajasthan Royals, due to the involvement of high-ranking officials.
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