CBI to question Kalmadi today

Jan 05, 2011 - PRAMOD KUMAR |

New Delhi

The CBI, which is investigating various cases of alleged corruption in the conduct of the Commonwealth Games (CWG), is all set to question Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi on Wednesday.

According to sources Mr Kalmadi is likely to be questioned by the agency in connection with alleged irregularities in CWG contracts related to Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR), overlays, sponsorship and ticketing. Sources further said that the agency may make some “significant arrests” in connection with its probe related to the QBR held in London last year.
The agency has already questioned OC secretary general Lalit Bhanot, director general V.K. Verma and another official R.K. Sacheti in connection with its probe into various cases of alleged corruption. The CBI had earlier conducted raids at the residences of Mr Kalmadi, Mr Bhanot, Mr Sacheti and Ms Sangeeta Welingkar, member of the Games Image and Look Group. The agency has so far filed three FIRs in connection with alleged irregularities in the Games.
Sources in the CBI said that the agency would soon register a separate FIR in connection with its probe into the financial transactions between OC and Australian company Sports Management and Marketing (SMAM) also. The Australian firm and its subsidiary companies had been authorised by the OC to get sponsorships for the Games. As per contract, the Australian firm would get 23 per cent commission by the OC for each sponsorship.
“Mr Kalmadi is likely to be asked certain specific questions related to controversial time, scoring and results (TSR) system’s contract awarded to a Swiss company. The agency has already booked Bhanot and V.K. Verma in connection with alleged irregularities in awarding of contract to a Swiss company for TSR system,” sources added.
Besides, the CBI has also started probing as how the estimated budget of `1,000 crores for upgradation and construction of five stadia crossed the limit of `2,460 crores.
The agency has also decided to question certain OC members and private contractors in this regard, sources added.

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