Former India captain MS Dhoni is set to record his statement after the Madras High Court ordered the commencement of trial in a Rs 100 crore defamation case filed by him against two prominent media channels and a journalist for allegedly linking his name to the 2013 IPL betting scandal.
Justice CV Karthikeyan has appointed an advocate commissioner to record evidence on behalf of Dhoni. Given his celebrity status, Dhoni will not appear in person during the examination to avoid any disruption or chaos.
Dhoni filed the defamation suit back in 2014, seeking damages of Rs 100 crore. He alleges that defamatory remarks were made against him during a television debate related to the IPL betting controversy.
Senior counsel PR Raman, representing Dhoni, submitted an affidavit urging the court to start the trial, which has been pending for nearly a decade due to repeated pleas for relief from the parties involved.
The affidavit reads, “The above request is made with the intent to avoid any undue delay (in disposal of the suit pending in the High Court for over a decade) and to support the fair, just, and speedy adjudication of the suit. I state that I shall extend my full cooperation with the Advocate Commissioner and comply with all directions issued by this honourable court regarding the trial and the recording of evidence.”
The 2013 IPL spot-fixing and betting scandal is widely regarded as one of the darkest episodes in the history of the T20 league. Three players were found guilty of indulging in spot-fixing, while two franchises, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals , were suspended for two years due to the betting activities of their top officials.
Dhoni retired from international cricket in August 2020 but continues to play for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.