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Synopsis

The Madras High Court on Friday, while allowing the contempt petition filed by cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni, handed down a 15-day imprisonment sentence to IPS officer Sampath Kumar.

The bench of Justices SS Sundar and Sunder Mohan, however, decided to suspend the sentence for thirty days, affording Kumar an opportunity to file an appeal.

A defamation suit was filed by Dhoni against Zee Media, Kumar, and others, concerning alleged malicious statements and news reports insinuating Dhoni's involvement in betting and match fixing during Indian Premier League (IPL) matches in 2013. Seeking to restrain the defendants, including Kumar, who initially investigated the IPL betting scandal, from disseminating defamatory statements on the matter, Dhoni had obtained an interim injunction from the High Court.

In response to the defamation suit, Zee and others submitted their written statements. Subsequently, Dhoni claimed that Kumar, in his written submissions, continued to make defamatory statements. Dhoni, therefore, requested the initiation of contempt of court proceedings against Kumar.

During the proceedings, Dhoni expressed disinterest in pursuing contempt charges against Sampath, given the latter's apology for the remarks. However, Sampath refused to apologize, contending that the contempt petition against him was not sustainable.

In presenting evidence, Dhoni submitted copies of statements made by Sampath against him and the Supreme Court. After examining these statements, the court observed that they were indeed contemptuous.

Court expressed surprise at specific allegations made by Sampath, questioning the Supreme Court's adherence to the "Rule of Law" and its decision to seal a portion of the Justice Mudgal Committee's report.

"He described the order of injunction as a clear misuse of judicial process and a bad precedent. From a reading of the statements of the respondent in the additional written statement, this Court is prima facie convinced that the statements are contumacious and appears to have been made with an intention to scandalize and lower the authority of this Court as well as the Hon'ble Supreme Court" it noted. 

Therefore, court allowed the contempt petition. However, taking into consideration Kumar's credentials as projected by him in his written statement as well in the reply affidavit, court showed leniency and restricted the punishment to simple imprisonment for 15 days while suspending its execution for 30 days.

Case Title: Mahendra Singh Dhoni v. Mr.G.Sampath Kumar, IPS