More than a decade after he filed a defamation suit over allegations of Indian Premier League (IPL) betting and match-fixing, cricketer MS Dhoni has been directed by the Madras High Court to deposit ₹10 lakh towards the cost of transcribing and translating CDs relied upon in the case. [MS Dhoni v. Zee Media Corporation]
Justice RN Manjula recorded that pursuant to an earlier order dated October 28, 2025, the court interpreter had taken up the task of transcribing and translating the CDs, subject to payment of necessary charges.
The Interpreter informed the Court that the exercise was a “humongous task” requiring the time and energy of at least one interpreter and a typist for nearly three to four months.
Taking into account the time and manpower involved, the Court fixed the charges at ₹10,00,000, payable by Dhoni. It observed that ordinarily, it is for the plaintiff to file necessary documents along with the plaint.
"As the engagement of official Interpreter is needed in view of the extraneous circumstances and as mentioned in the earlier order dated 28.10.2025, it is obligatory on the part of the plaintiff to pay the cost of the job done."
The amount has to be deposited to the account of the Chief Justice Relief Fund, Madras High Court, on or before March 12 and the transcription is to be completed before the third week of March. The matter has been listed on March 12.
Dhoni had filed the civil defamation suit in 2014 against Zee Media, IPS officer Sampath Kumar and others over alleged malicious statements and news reports claiming that he was involved in betting and match-fixing of IPL matches in 2013. Kumar had initially probed the IPL betting scam.
The former Indian team captain sought a permanent injunction restraining the defendants from issuing or publishing defamatory statements against him in connection with the allegations. The High Court had earlier granted an interim injunction restraining Zee, Kumar and others from making defamatory statements against him.
After the defendants filed their written statements, Dhoni moved an application alleging that Kumar had made further defamatory statements even in his written submissions and sought initiation of contempt proceedings.
In July 2021, Dhoni also obtained permission from the High Court to deliver 17 interrogatories to Zee, contending that the written statement filed by the media company was generalised and did not contain specific responses to the allegations. Zee challenged that order, arguing that the interrogatories sought to elicit evidence in advance and raised issues that ought to be addressed at the stage of cross-examination during trial.
The High Court, however, dismissed Zee's objection in 2023.
[Read Order]