MS Dhoni’s Defamation Case Against Zee Media Set for Trial

Former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni will finally see his long-standing defamation case proceed to trial, following a decision by the Madras High Court. The proceedings are scheduled to commence on October 20, 2023, after a delay of over eleven years. Dhoni has filed a defamation suit worth Rs 100 crore against Zee Media Corporation, journalist Sudhir Chaudhary, retired IPS officer G Sampath Kumar, and News Nation Network.

The legal dispute dates back to 2014 when Dhoni accused the defendants of falsely linking him to the Indian Premier League (IPL) betting scandal. In his sworn affidavit presented to the court, Dhoni stated he would be available for examination and cross-examination from October 20 to December 10, 2023. To facilitate this process, Justice CV Karthikeyan has appointed an advocate commissioner to record Dhoni’s testimony at a mutually agreed location in Chennai, aiming to avoid potential disruptions in the courtroom.

Dhoni’s suit alleges that since February 11, 2014, the defendants have repeatedly published and broadcasted “false and defamatory” claims regarding his involvement in betting, match-fixing, and spot-fixing. The complaint specifies that Zee News, Chaudhary, and Kumar have made these accusations, while News Nation falsely reported that Dhoni had been summoned by Tamil Nadu police.

Senior counsel PR Raman represented Dhoni in court, reaffirming the former cricketer’s commitment to pursuing the case. The trial’s lengthy delay has been attributed to numerous applications and procedural challenges raised by the defendants. The High Court’s recent ruling to proceed with the trial marks a significant development in Dhoni’s effort to clear his name and seek damages for what he describes as baseless allegations.

As this legal battle unfolds, many in the cricketing community and beyond will be watching closely, given Dhoni’s prominent status in Indian sports. The outcome may not only impact Dhoni personally but also set precedents for how defamation cases involving public figures are handled in the future.