MS Dhoni Files Criminal Contempt Plea Against IPS Officer In Madras HC Over Alleged Derogatory Remarks Against Judiciary

Cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni has approached the Madras High Court seeking to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against G Sampath Kumar IPS for his alleged remarks against the Supreme Court and the Madras High Court in a pleading filed in connection with the IPL scandal. 

Though the case was listed before a bench of Justice PN Prakash and Justice RMT Teeka Raman today, it could not come up for admission and is expected to be taken up next week.

Dhoni has contended that the IPS officer made disparaging and derogatory remarks against the Supreme Court and the Madras High Court which is capable of shaking the faith of the common man in the judicial system and thus constitutes criminal contempt.

Sampath Kumar had allegedly stated that the Supreme Court chose to keep certain portions of the Report of Justice Mudgal Committee (formed to independently enquire into the match fixing in 2013 IPL) in a sealed cover and did not provide the same to the Special Investigation Team.

Dhoni said that Sampath imputed that Supreme Court "has a motive" in not providing the sealed cover.

It is further alleged that Sampath disrespected and scandalized the Madras High Court, made accusations against the office of Advocate General and designated Senior Counsels of the Madras High Court. 

These statements were made by Sampath in an additional affidavit which was filed in a Civil Suit filed by Dhoni against the officer and Zee Media Corporation over match fixing allegations against him.

After getting necessary consent from the office of the Advocate General to proceed with the Criminal contempt, the present application has been filed praying to punish the officer under Section 15 of the Contempt of Courts Act 1975 and such other orders in the interest of justice.

Case Title: Mahendra Singh Dhoni v. G Sampath Kumar

Case No: Contempt Petition 2361 of 2022