A special team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday brought former OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi’s aide Shekhar Deorukhar to Delhi from Pune on transit remand. Mr Shekkar, who was on Thursday arrested in Pune, was produced in a Delhi court and sent to further CBI custody for five days, which the CBI has stated was necessary for the accused’s interrogation.
“He was presented before the magistrate in the court and has been sent to five of days in CBI remand,” confirmed CBI deputy inspector general Vinita Thakur. Mr Deorukhkar was arrested on Friday afternoon from Pune and was brought to the capital on transit remand, further added IG CBI.
Sources are now pointing out that the CBI, which has evidences against Mr Kalmadi in the various Commonwealth Games related financial irregularities, is now likely to arrest Mr Kalmadi. A source added that Mr Kalmadi might be declared arrested on the follow up of Mr Shakhar’s confessions. Mr Shekhar, who is going through sustained interrogation, is believed to have been questioned by CBI sleuths on Mr Kalmadi’s involvement in the Games-related projects.
Mr Kalmadi was questioned by the CBI on January 5 and his premises in Delhi, Pune and Mumbai were searched by the investigative agency. Three close aides of Mr Kalmadi — T.S. Darbari, the joint director-general (revenue, marketing and chairman secretariat) in the OC, and Sanjay Mahendroo, the deputy director-general (marketing) — were arrested on November 15, 2010, while M. Jayachandran, joint director (finance), was arrested on November 21. But even after the stipulated 60 days, the investigative agency failed to file a charge sheet against them. So, Mr Darbari was released on January 14, Mr Mahendroo on January 15 and Mr Jayachandran was let off on January 19. Mr Kalmadi and OC secretary general Lalit Bhanot were sacked on January 24 from their posts following the allegations.