Regarded as one of India's greatest cricketers, MS Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket on August 15, 2020.
Few days later, reports of Dhoni owing Rs 1,800 to the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) were doing the rounds.
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Hurt by the JSCA’s claim of the former skipper owing money, Dhoni’s fans raised funds in order to clear the dues on his behalf but the payment was not accepted. And now it has been learned that the dues are all settled.
The money was charged on account of GST attached to Dhoni's lifetime membership of JSCA. On Tuesday (September 8), however, the association secretary Sanjay Sahay confirmed to the Times of India that all dues are settled and the matter has been closed.
"The matter has been closed. There is nothing more to add to it. That status existed till March 31. But after that the payment came in so the matter has been closed," said Sahay.
As the audit report for the previous financial year came in, the pending dues were mentioned.
"The audit report is supposed to run till 31st March of every year. So that is how it (Dhoni's dues) came to light. The payment has already come in and we have accepted that, hence the matter is completely settled," said Sahay.
The secretary, however, did not confirm when the association received the amount from the former Indian captain.
Sahay also took a jibe at activist Sesh Nath Pathak who tried to submit the draft at JSCA's registered office in Jamshedpur with four others.
"Some people will do such things. They will do anything to try and get their name on newspapers. This is nothing new. There are certain individuals and groups who do such things in order to look after their own interest," he said.
Earlier, Pathak had said that he had made the payment but was not issued a receipt. Sahay responded saying: "When we don't need the money, why should we issue a receipt in the first place? If we take money then it should be due to a cause or aid and in this case what aid should we show? I don't know whether he has taken back the draft or not but if he doesn't then we will put it up at the notice board, we are not going to use it."
He further added: "Who is he to come and give money on Dhoni's behalf? The draft has not yet been returned but it will be given back. We are not supposed to accept such drafts."
(With TOI inputs)
