The CBI, after arresting former secretary general Lalit Bhanot and director general (finance) V.K. Verma of the CWG organising committee (OC) has found prima facie evidence of irregularities reportedly committed by the top brass, including sacked chairman Suresh Kalmadi, in finalising eight contracts. The agency has also decided to start questioning of certain senior bureaucrats, who served in the OC, in this regard.
According to sources, the agency has found evidence of irregularities against Mr Kalmadi in awarding of contracts related to Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR), overlays, appointment of international consultants, sponsorship and ticketing.
“Questioning of Bhanot and Verma has provided vital clues to the probe agency. Now, the agency is planning to send Letter to Requests (LRs) to some other countries also to get the details about the functioning of certain overseas companies, which were awarded CWG contracts,” sources said.
The agency has also decided to start questioning of certain top bureaucrats, who served in the OC, in this regard, sources added.
The CBI has already initiated the process of sending LR to London to get the details of Ashish Patel, owner of AM Films and Cars, who has been booked by the agency on the charges of forgery and cheating in connection with alleged irregularities during the QBR held in London last year.
Meanwhile, Mr Kalmadi, who had earlier demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe in connection with the CWG corruption cases, on Thursday said, “All those who were involved in organising the Games must be summoned. Why just go after the OC?” Talking to a television news channel, Mr Suresh Kalmadi said that the Delhi government should see its budget.
“Let the Delhi chief minister talk of what happened in her departments and not blame us,” he said.