Madras High Court Directs MS Dhoni to Deposit Rs 10 Lakh for Evidence Transcription
In a significant development, the Madras High Court has issued an order requiring former Indian cricket captain M S Dhoni to deposit a sum of Rs 10 lakh. This payment is intended to cover the expenses associated with transcribing the contents of CDs submitted as evidence in a high-profile defamation case.
Background of the Defamation Suit
The legal proceedings stem from a Rs 100 crore defamation plea filed by Dhoni against several media entities and former IPS officer G Sampath Kumar. The suit was initiated in response to allegations linking Dhoni's name to the 2013 Indian Premier League (IPL) betting scandal, which he has vehemently denied.
In October 2025, Dhoni submitted an application requesting transcripts of three CDs that were part of the evidence in the defamation suit, originally filed in 2014. The defendants in this case include Zee Media, its head Sudhir Chaudhary, News Nation, and former officer Sampath Kumar. Dhoni argued that the copies of the CDs in his possession were corrupted and unusable, necessitating access to the court's transcripts.
Court's Rationale for the Cost Order
During a hearing on Wednesday, Justice R N Manjula of the Madras High Court addressed the complexity of the transcription task. The judge noted that an interpreter had described the process as "humongous," requiring the dedicated efforts of at least one interpreter and a typist for approximately three to four months to complete.
Justice Manjula emphasized that the transcription and translation work would demand the full-time commitment of these professionals, incurring significant additional costs. Consequently, the court fixed the charges at Rs 10 lakh, to be borne by Dhoni as the plaintiff. The judge stated, "In normal circumstances and in a suit filed by the plaintiff, it is the plaintiff who must do such work and file the documents along with his plaint. As the engagement of an official interpreter is needed in view of the extraneous circumstances, it is obligatory on the part of the plaintiff to pay the cost of the job done."
Deadlines and Payment Instructions
The court has set clear deadlines for the completion of the transcription and the payment of the associated costs. Authorities have been directed to finalize the transcription process by the third week of March. Additionally, Dhoni is required to pay the Rs 10 lakh amount into the account of the Chief Justice Relief Fund at the Madras High Court on or before March 12, 2025.
This ruling underscores the procedural demands and financial responsibilities involved in legal disputes, particularly in cases requiring extensive evidence handling. The defamation suit continues to be a closely watched matter, highlighting the intersection of sports, media, and legal accountability in India.
