The noose around Delhi Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi tightened further with the CBI booking two of his close aides — OC secretary-general Lalit Bhanot and OC director-general V.K. Verma — in connection with alleged irregularities in awarding a contract to a Swiss company for a results
update system. The agency also carried out searches at 11 places, including the residences of four close aides of Mr Kalmadi. This is the third FIR in connection with alleged irregularities in CWG projects.
According to sources, it is likely that the CBI may question Mr Kalmadi in connection with its probe into a `107-crore contract awarded to a Swiss company, M/s Swiss Timing, for the timing, scoring and result (TSR) system, and a contract awarded to the London-based firm for the Queen’s Batons Relay (QBR). Sources said the agency is likely to initiate the formal process for questioning Mr Kalmadi very soon.
Earlier, the CBI had registered two FIRs in connection with alleged irregularities in the Queen’s Baton Relay in London last year and had arrested three former Games officials. The agency on Tuesday registered case against three persons — Mr Bhanot, Mr Verma and M/s Swiss Timing.
This is the first time that the premises of both Mr Bhanot and Mr Verma, both considered very close to Mr Kalmadi, were searched. Besides, agency officials conducted searches at the residences of other OC members, including joint director-general (coordination) R.K. Sacheti, whose name had already cropped up in investigations by the Central Vigilance Commission, and Ms Sangeeta Welingkar, a member of the Games Image and Look Group. The searches were carried out in Gurgaon and Noida, apart from the OC headquarters, sources said. The agency is likely to make arrests in connection with its probe into the TSR system in a day or two, the sources added.
“CBI is also probing the circumstances under which the Swiss Timing was awarded the contract for a TSR system. The agency is examining on what ground was a Spain-based firm eliminated at the pre-qualification stage. A total of two bids were received for the contract,” sources said.
The CBI is also reportedly probing the grounds on which certain OC officials, who objected to the deal with Swiss Timing, were issued showcause notices by the top brass, sources said, adding that the reply of the OC officials who were issued showcause notices are also being analysed.
“The agency is also probing other contracts related to technology as there are reports that more than `75 crore was additionally paid to a specific firm in two contracts. Both contracts are under the scanner of the agency,” the sources said. The Enforcement Directorate, too, is planning to register a case in connection with irregularities in the contract awarded to Swiss Timing, sources added.
Meanwhile, talking to reporters after the CBI raids, Mr Bhanot said, “The CBI team came in the morning and they wanted to search the house. We were transparent. I don’t hide anything and we are giving them whatever file they are asking for.” He maintained that the decisions were taken jointly by the executive board of the CWG, which also included government representatives. Whatever decision has been taken, it has been taken jointly by the board and it includes members from the government, various federations and the OC, he said.
Mr Verma said, “These allegations are absolutely baseless. Any suspicion on any individual is totally baseless because you should see this whole matter has been examined by so many high-level committees. Several committees had examined the matter.” The entire matter was referred to the ministry concerned, Mr Verma said.