The Madras High Court has taken a significant step in Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s high-profile defamation case. The court has ordered the appointment of an advocate commissioner to record the former Indian cricket captain’s evidence in his Rs 100-crore lawsuit against two news channels and a retired IPS officer.
The case dates back to 2014 when Dhoni filed the defamation suit against News Nation, Zee Media, and retired officer G Sampath Kumar for allegedly linking him to IPL match-fixing controversies. The recent development came during Monday’s hearing before Justice CV Karthikeyan.
Dhoni’s legal team made an interesting request during the proceedings. They argued that examining the cricket star as a witness on the high court premises could cause unnecessary disruption due to his celebrity status. Instead, they proposed an alternative arrangement.
The counsel assured the court of Dhoni’s full cooperation and suggested recording his testimony at an agreed location between October 20 and December 10 this year. The judge accepted this proposal, directing that the evidence be recorded during this period at a mutually convenient place.
This legal battle has been ongoing for nearly a decade. The defamation claim stems from allegations made during the peak of Dhoni’s cricketing career when he was not just the Indian team captain but also led the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. The Rs 100-crore damages sought reflects the seriousness with which Dhoni views the allegations and their potential impact on his reputation.
The court’s decision to appoint an advocate commissioner shows recognition of the practical challenges in high-profile cases involving celebrities. It balances the need for proper judicial process with the realities of public attention surrounding such proceedings.
As the dates approach for evidence recording, all eyes will be on how this case develops. The outcome could have significant implications for how media reports on public figures and the boundaries of responsible journalism.
For now, the legal machinery is moving forward with preparations for Dhoni’s testimony. The coming months will reveal more about this long-standing dispute that has connected the worlds of sports, media, and law.
The case also highlights the lasting impact of allegations made during the IPL’s controversial phases and how individuals choose to protect their reputations through legal channels. Dhoni’s decision to pursue this matter for nearly ten years demonstrates his determination to clear his name regarding the match-fixing insinuations.