Former India cricketer MS Dhoni has been asked to pay INR 10 lakhs by the Madras High Court for the translation of information in the defamation complaint he filed against retired IPS officer G. Sampathkumar, seeking Rs 100 crore in damages for allegedly tying him to the 2013 IPL betting scam.

Justice RN Manjula made the directive while issuing additional interim directions in Dhoni's lawsuit on February 11. The judge's ruling stated that the court's translator has begun the job of transcribing and interpreting the contents of the CDs involved in the case in accordance with the decision dated October 28, 2025. But the ruling had been issued with the requirement that the required fees be covered.

The judge also noted that, as per the interpreter, the task was an arduous one requiring significant time and effort; at least one interpreter and a typist would need nearly three to four months to complete the work.

The fees for transcription and translation were set at Rs 10 lakh, which the plaintiff, MS Dhoni, was compelled to pay because a full-time interpreter and typewriter were needed, in addition to extra expenses for making copies.

Normally, the plaintiff undertakes such work and files the documents along with the plaint, the Judge observed. The judgment ruled that the plaintiff was required to pay for the work done because the official interpreter's involvement was required by unrelated circumstances, as mentioned in the previous order of October 28, 2025.

The judge ordered the interpreter to finish the transcription and translation of the CDs' contents by the third week of March 2026.

The plaintiff was also required to pay Rs 10 lakh to the Chief Justice's Relief Fund, Madras High Court, by March 12, 2026, at the latest. On March 12, the case was rescheduled foran  additional hearing.

(PTI inputs)