Madras High Court Cites Security Concerns Over Dhoni’s Presence, Upholds Alternate Evidence Recording
The Madras High Court has observed that the physical presence of former Indian cricket captain M.S. Dhoni in court would require elaborate security arrangements, given his public stature.
The court upheld the appointment of an advocate commissioner to record Dhoni’s evidence at an alternate location, dismissing an appeal filed by retired IPS officer G. Sampath Kumar challenging the arrangement. The judges noted that the decision was made to ensure safety, minimize public disruption, and maintain judicial efficiency.
The case stems from a defamation suit filed by Dhoni against Sampath Kumar over alleged remarks linking him to the 2013 IPL betting controversy. The bench emphasized that the recording of evidence through a commissioner is a legally valid process and does not prejudice either party’s rights, balancing both security considerations and judicial propriety in handling high-profile cases.
