MS Dhoni’s 100 crore Defamation Case: Madras HC orders Trial to Begin

The long-pending ₹100 crore defamation case filed by former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is finally moving forward. The Madras High Court has ordered the commencement of the trial after more than a decade of delays. Justice C.V. Karthikeyan has appointed an advocate commissioner to record Dhoni’s evidence between October 20 and December 10, 2025. Dhoni will not appear personally in court to avoid chaso, given his celebrity status, and the statement will be recorded at a mutually agreed location in Chennai.

Dhoni, through his affidavit submitted by senior counsel P.R. Raman, expressed his willingness to fully cooperate with the court and the appointed advocate commissioner. He stated that the move was intended to avoid further delays and to ensure a fair, just, and speedy resolution of the case. The trial had been stalled for years due to various procedural objections and applications filed by the defendants. The decision marks a significant step for MSD, who has retired from international cricket but continues to play for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.

What is the 100 crore defamation case?

The defamation suit was filed against Zee Media Corporation, New Nation Network Journalist Sudhir Chaudhary, and retired IPL officer G. Sampath Kumar. Dhoni accused them of making false and defamatory claims linking him to the 2013 IPL betting and spot-fixing scandal. During a TV debate, the defendants claimed that Dhoni had been summoned by Tamil Nadu Police in connection with the scandal, damaging his reputation.

The 2013 IPL scandal saw the suspension of two IPL franchises, including RR and CSK, for two years, and several individuals, including players and team officials investigated for spot fixing. Although Dhoni’s name was implicated publicly, no allegations were ever proven against him. The case was further complicated by a petition filed by Dhoni against G. Sampath Kumar in 2023, which was temporarily stayed by the Supreme Court in 2024.

The current court’s order set the stage for the long-pending trial and will allow Dhoni to record his evidence and hold the defendants accountable. This move is expected to address the decade-long pending case and ensure that the proceedings are conducted systematically and fairly.