MS Dhoni has been told to deposit ₹10 lakh in the Chief Justice’s Relief Fund by March 12.The Madras High Court directed the former India captain to pay this amount to cover the cost of converting and translating audio and video recordings submitted as evidence in his long-running defamation case linked to the 2013 IPL spot-fixing and betting scandal.
Justice R.N. Manjula said the recordings, which are in Hindi and include news reports and TV debates, will take a lot of time and effort to translate and type out. The judge explained that it would require a full-time interpreter and typist for three to four months.
Since Dhoni filed the case, the court said he is responsible for paying these costs. The money must be deposited by March 12, 2026, so the 12-year-old case can move forward.
“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,” reads the order as per Bar and Bench.
Dhoni’s ₹100 Crore Defamation Case To Be Heard On March 12 After Years Of Delays
MS Dhoni filed a ₹100 crore defamation case in 2014 against two media organisations, a journalist, and a retired IPS officer. He claimed they made false statements linking him to betting and match-fixing during the 2013 IPL season. Dhoni has strongly denied these allegations.
The case has been delayed over the years because of several legal 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 in jail. However, the Supreme Court later put the sentence on hold.
Last year, the High Court ordered that the trial should begin and appointed a legal officer to record Dhoni’s statement outside the court, considering security concerns due to his celebrity status. An appeal against this order was rejected in November 2025. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for March 12.
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