Politics · India Bureau
Madras High Court orders trial in Dhoni's ₹100-crore defamation case
Justice C.V. Karthikeyan has directed commencement of proceedings in cricketer M.S. Dhoni's defamation suit, appointing an advocate commissioner to record his evidence over a two-month period starting in October.
LSN India ·
The Madras High Court has ordered the initiation of trial proceedings in M.S. Dhoni's ₹100-crore defamation lawsuit. Justice C.V. Karthikeyan passed the order after hearing arguments in the matter, signalling the case has progressed past preliminary stages.
As part of the trial process, the court has appointed an advocate commissioner to record Dhoni's evidence in Chennai. The deposition is scheduled to take place between October 20 and December 10, 2025, spanning more than six weeks. This extended timeline indicates the court's expectation of substantial testimony from the former Indian cricket captain.
The defamation suit represents a significant legal action by Dhoni against alleged defamatory statements. The ₹100-crore valuation underscores the severity of the claims being contested. With the appointment of an advocate commissioner to record evidence, the case is now moving into its substantive evidentiary phase rather than remaining at interlocutory proceedings.
The scheduled evidence recording represents a critical juncture in the litigation. The court's procedural order suggests both parties are prepared to proceed with substantive arguments and witness testimony. The outcome of Dhoni's evidence deposition is likely to significantly shape the trajectory of the defamation case.