MS Dhoni files defamation case against Hindi daily for match-fixing allegations

MS Dhoni, reportedly, has sued the publishers of Hindi Daily Sun Star for damages up to Rs 100 crores on account of defamation, trauma, and mental agony.

A sting operation done by Sun Star accused the Indian captain MS Dhoni of fixing the Manchester Test match during India’s tour to England in 2014.

Sun Star quoted Sunil Dev, who was a manager of the Indian team on England tour in 2014, alleged that the Indian captain had fixed a Test match and had purposely chosen to bat on a wet wicket, in spite of deciding in a team meeting that India would choose to field first, should the toss be won. The Test match was lost by India in under three days by an innings and 54 runs.

Sunil Dev, the former DDCA secretary, however, rubbished allegations of accusing Indian limited-overs captain after the news came out.

Reacting to the report, Dhoni’s Delhi-based lawyers C&C Associates have sent a nine-page legal notice.

“The said video contains footage of an absolute dubious sting operation of the aforementioned Sunil Dev, which in the present circumstances is nothing but a false propaganda initiated by you to defame my client”, the notice says.

“In fact, the so called Indian cricket official (Sunil Dev) who you have credited to be the source of information has strongly denied the incident.” Dhoni’s lawyers (Rajneesh Chopra and Pratik Malik) have asked the publishers to issue denials to the report in the next 48-hours or face a legal case against them.”

“Our client (Dhoni) reserves the right to institute proceedings for the recovery of damages up to Rs 100 Crores from you on account of the defamation, mental agony and trauma caused to him due to this by causing loss of his reputation,”  the notice continues.