MS Dhoni is answerable for lying to probe panel insists lawyer Harish Salve

MS Dhoni

New Delhi: India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni will be answerable if an enquiry is ordered into the cover up of the IPL betting and fixing scandal since he lied to the probe panel that Gurunath Meiyappan was not associated with Chennai Super Kings in any official capacity, senior Counsel Harish Salve said yesterday.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Senior counsel Harish Salve

"He (Dhoni) said this on record. In one voice with Mr Srinivasan he said that Meiyappan was only an enthusiast. I have no personal knowledge of it, it is the report that said. According to the report, Meiyappan used to sit in the players dug out and was also there in the players' auction for the team (CSK). And Dhoni knew it. What was the need for the captain to say that. The definition of corruption includes cover up," Salve said.

MSD backed Srini
While deposing before the Mukul Mudgal-headed probe panel, appointed by Supreme Court, Dhoni had corroborated BCCI chief N Srinivasan's remarks that Meiyappan was a mere cricket enthusiast. Salve, who appeared in Supreme Court for the petitioner Aditya Verma, secretary of Cricket Association of Bihar, said it was indeed a lie aimed at covering up.

"It is in IPL definition that cover up is part of corruption. It (Dhoni's statement) is not a secret. He just made an error in judgement. I have respect for him as a cricketer and I feel for him," he said. Asked if Dhoni was answerable, Salve said, "Absolutely, if there is an enquiry for cover up."