Shocked Kalmadi now attacks CBI for 'targeting' OC men

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Former CWG organising committee secretary general Lalit Bhanot after being produced at Patiala House court

Suresh Kalmadi on Thursday accused the investigating agencies of 'targeting' only the CWG organising committee on corruption and sought to point fingers at the sports ministry which was also a part of the entire decision-making process in the run up to the games.

A day after the arrest of two of his close aides, the sacked organising committee chairman expressed shock and displeasure over the way the entire matter has been handled by the investigating agencies when all the documents pertaining to the conduct of the games were with them.

Asked whether he anticipated arrest any time, Kalmadi ended a press conference abruptly saying 'Let's see'.

"I would like to state that the ministry of youth affairs and sports has been a party to the decision at every step and I don't understand why only the organising committee is being singled out for questioning by investigating agencies," Kalmadi told newsmen reading out from a written statement.

"The executive board (of the organising committee) comprised of two officers from Government of India, two from Delhi government, three officials from Commonwealth federations and then IOA people, including myself and Ranbir.

"So it was a very balanced team, and all decisions have been taken unanimously. There has been no case that we (OC and sports ministry) differed. All (decisions) have been approved by the executive board. I am surprised that the investigating agencies are calling the officials of the organising committee and no government official is being called," Kalmadi said.

Former OC secretary general Lalit Bhanot and director general V.K. Verma were yesterday arrested by the CBI in connection with alleged irregularities in the Rs 107 crore deal inked with a Swiss timing firm.

Kalmadi, also the Indian Olympic Association president, repeated his demand for a joint parliamentary committee probe into the conduct of the Games and said law should take its course.

"The entire process seems to be against the officials who have worked with the organising committee for many years. No decision related to the games was taken alone by anyone. So I am shocked that investigative agencies are only calling the officers of the organising committee and that no government officers have so far been called by them.

"I don't understand that when all the details are with the investigating agencies, all documents are with them, then why are they only calling the OC officials. OC members are only being targeted, why not others involved in the decision making. We want this thing to become clear when all the papers are with the agencies," said Kalmadi.