The Madras High Court has directed legendary India captain MS Dhoni to deposit Rs 10 lakh to cover the cost of translating and transcribing audio recordings in his long-running defamation case linked to the 2013 IPL spot-fixing controversy.
Why MS Dhoni have to play 10 lakh?
Justice R.N. Manjula said the recordings, which are in Hindi and include television debates and news clips, would take significant time and effort to convert into written English. The judge described it as a massive task that would need a dedicated interpreter and typist working exclusively for three to four months.
Since Dhoni is the one who filed the case, the court ruled that he must bear the expense. The amount has to be deposited in the Chief Justice’s Relief Fund by March 12, 2026, so the 12-year-old civil suit can move forward.
The court order, as reported by Bar and Bench, stated that because official interpretation services are required under special circumstances mentioned in an earlier order dated October 28, 2025, it is the responsibility of the plaintiff to pay for the work.
MS Dhoni filed 100 crore defamation suit in 2014
Dhoni had filed a Rs 100 crore defamation suit in 2014 against two media houses, a journalist and a retired IPS officer. He accused them of making false and damaging statements that linked him to betting and match-fixing during the 2013 IPL season. Dhoni has consistently denied all allegations.
The case has seen several delays over the years due to multiple interim applications and appeals.
In 2023, a division bench found Mr Kumar guilty of criminal contempt for remarks made in court documents and sentenced him to 15 days of simple imprisonment. However, the Supreme Court later put a stay on that sentence.
Last year, the High Court ordered that the trial should begin and appointed an advocate commissioner to record Dhoni’s statement outside the court, citing security concerns because of his high-profile status. An appeal against that decision was dismissed in November 2025. The matter is now scheduled to be heard again on March 12.