Curbs on channels after Dhoni’s defamation suit

The Indian skipper files defamation suit against Zee News, New Nation channels and the suspended IPS officer G.Sampath Kumar, claims Rs. 100 crore as damages

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

The Madras High Court on Tuesday restrained Zee Media Corporation Limited and News Nation Network from publishing or telecasting any news content on Indian cricket team skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni in connection with alleged acts of betting, spot-fixing and match-fixing.

The court passed the interim order after Mr. Dhoni filed a civil suit claiming Rs. 100 crore as compensation from the news networks and G. Sampath Kumar, a suspended police officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre. He said they tarnished his image and reputation by publishing and telecasting defamatory news content.

PTI adds:

Zee rebuts Dhoni’s allegations

“Zee Media Corporation Limited as a responsible news channel has ideated the story based on the said sting and also on the report filed by Justice Mudgal to the Honourable Supreme Court of India, which was widely reported by various media organisations, including print media,” the channel said in a statement.

“The news channel has done the sting operations based on the facts, which were in the public domain as series of stories were already filed/published by various media organisations from February 10 to 1, 2014.

“To further clarify the said issue, Zee Media Corporation Limited has already moved an intervention application along with the evidence in its possession before the Honourable Supreme Court of India in the pending SLP filed by Cricket Association of Bihar,” it added.