India connection of firms on paper only?
The probe into alleged corruption related to the Commonwealth Games by the Central investigating agencies has reportedly revealed that Indian connection of some of the consortiums, which bid and won contracts for various CWG projects, had come up virtually overnight and “on files”.
Sources in the agencies revealed that the matter is being probed and officials are collecting documents pertaining to the Indian connection of some foreign companies as well as consultants. Details of the Indian connection of some of the consortiums are being physically verified, sources added.
“There are allegations that a few consortiums were created overnight and some of them allegedly gave wrong details and addresses. Officials are also examining the identity details of Indian members of some of the consortiums following the allegations that majority of such companies had the relatives of the OC as their top honchos”, sources added.
Further, the agencies are probing a likely ulterior motive behind many of the “request for proposal (RFP)” documents related to various Games projects having a clause, which allegedly said that those sponsors who gave “value-in-kind” would be preferred. Sources added that the matter was being probed and if required top OC members can also be questioned in this connection, sources added.
Officials are also collecting details of the financial transactions between OC and Australian company Sports Management and Marketing (SMAM), in connection with probe into sponsorship commission, sources added.
“In the case of SMAM, payments worth over `50 crore were allegedly been made by the OC. The linkages of SMAM with the Mauritius-based World Sports Group have already raised suspicion of money laundering. Officials of the revenue intelligence agencies, including ED, are also scrutinising contract documents signed between the OC and the foreign firm and its subsidiary companies,” sources said.
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