MS Dhoni threatens to file Rs 100-crore defamation case against Hindi daily

Image Courtesy: DNA India

Mahendra Singh Dhoni on 11th February, Thursday has sent a legal notice to Sun Star, a Hindi daily, for accusing him of match-fixing during India's 2014 tour of England.

Sunil Dev, India's former team manager, accused Dhoni, India's then Test captain, of fixing the fourth match of the 2014 Test series against England in Manchester, the 34-year-old's legal team has served a nine-pager notice, threatening to file a Rs. 100-crore defamation suit unless an apology is issued over the alleged match-fixing reports.

Dhoni's lawyers, Dehi-based C&C Associates, have labelled Sunil Dev's allegations as "false propaganda" and an "attempt to defame Dhoni". The notice has also given the daily a 48-hour deadline to issue denials.

"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, reads the legal notice, a Deccan Chronicle report quoted.

Dev, however, came out in strong criticism of the report, calling it rubbish. The report quoted Dev claiming that Dhoni's decision to bat first under cloudy conditions in Old Trafford was in sharp contrast to what was discussed in the team meeting prior to the toss. Dev added he was a "100 percent" sure the Indian skipper had fixed the Manchester game which was wrapped up in under three days.

"Given the conditions of the pitch, (which) was wet due to (a) long spell of rain, we had decided to bowl first in a team meeting. But Dhoni surprised everyone by opting to bat first," Dev had said in the sting video.

"It is all rubbish. I am planning to sue this Hindi daily and will seek legal recourse against anyone else who makes such malicious claims," Dev said.

More to follow.