Wednesday, March 9, 2011

CWG scam: Kalmadi hand in dubious deals found

NEW DELHI: Forensic evidence linking Suresh Kalmadi, sacked chief of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, to contracts being investigated for alleged corruption, delivery deficits and manipulation of tender terms has come to light.

Details of Kalmadi's links to dubious decisions taken during his tenure as chief organiser are with the V K Shunglu committee probing an array of Games-related irregularities. The evidence was turned up by private experts engaged by the committee who examined computer and email records at the OC office.

Sources said the experts did not find it easy to scour through the electronic records, many of which were obliterated and others fudged or tampered with. But despite being able to look at the record weeks after the Games concluded, they have hit on Kalmadi's footprint.

The evidence gathered is believed to be substantial, although not many details are available. The linkages are believed to be strong enough to bolster the case against the former OC boss and his associates, some of who are already in jail.

The electronic record will be useful as conclusive evidence is not easy to come. The OC's filing and record keeping systems are poor and vulnerable to tampering. Several papers are missing and sources said the file work does not have the careful cross referencing that makes it difficult to take out a noting from a government file.

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Tuesday, February 1, 2011

CWG projects under probe are worth Rs 28,000 crore: Panel

New Delhi, Feb 1 (PTI) Commonwealth Games works under investigation are worth Rs 28,000 crore and time is required to probe them, the high-level Shunglu committee today said.

"The total project costs worth Rs 28,000 crore. How do you expect me to complete the probe within three months," V K Shunglu told PTI.

However, he declined to share details of the interim report submitted to the PMO yesterday on alleged irregularities in awarding broadcasting rights during Games.

The term of the panel has been extended till March 31 to submit its full report.

The Committee was set up by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on October 25 last year and asked to submit its findings on financial and managerial lapses within three months.

The committee has collected CWG projects related documents from different central and state government departments.

Former Secretary of Department of Personnel and Training, Shantanu Consul, is also a member of the panel.

Several projects undertaken by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Public Works Department (PWD), Central Public Works Department (CPWD), RITES, Sports Ministry, Urban Development Ministry and Games Organising Committee are under the scanner of enforcement, investigating and vigilance agencies for alleged bunglings.

Besides, the CBI has registered four FIRs naming some of the close aides of OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi for alleged criminal conspiracy and financial irregularities in executing the contracts.

The CBI has also questioned Kalmadi and OC Secretary general Lalit Bhanot among others in connection with the cases.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

CBI raids more Kalmadi aides, registers fourth FIR in CWG scam

NEW DELHI: A day after questioning Suresh Kalmadi, the CBI on Thursday lodged a fourth FIR in the CWG scam. The FIR has been registered in connection with irregularities in overlay contracts for the Games.

Meanwhile, the CBI is conducting more raids in connection with the CWG scam. According to reports, raids are underway at ten places on companies related to the overlay contracts.

The fresh FIR and the raids come a day after CBI sleuths grilled Suresh Kalmadi for nearly nine hours.

Kalmadi, who is the chairman of the CWG organising committee has all along denied any wrongdoing. But the CBI interrogators were not satisfied with his answers on Wednesday and have hinted that he will be called again for furher clarifications.

The CBI has earlier lodged three cases in connection with the CWG scam. While two cases have been registered in connection with alleged irregularities in the Queen's baton relay, the third FIR is in connection with the awarding of contract for time and scoring.

Read more: CBI raids more Kalmadi aides, registers fourth FIR in CWG scam - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/CBI-raids-more-Kalmadi-aides-registers-fourth-FIR-in-CWG-scam/articleshow/7227349.cms#ixzz1AENISZUz

CBI questions Kalmadi in connection with CWG scam

STAFF WRITER 11:7 HRS IST

New Delhi, Jan 5 (PTI) Commonwealth Organising Committee chief Suresh Kalamdi was today questioned by the CBI in connection with alleged financial irregularities in the conduct of the sports event.

Kalmadi reached the CBI office at about 10 AM. His questioning began about half an hour later, official sources said.

The questioning is about alleged irregularities in the Queen Baton's Relay held in London last year besides certain contracts awarded to various firms totalling several hundred crores, the sources said.

The agency had raided his Pune and Delhi premises on December 24 during which several documents including digital were seized, they said.

The sleuths have grilled Kalmadi's three key aides in connection with the scam. The sources said Manoj Bhori, political advisor to OC head and P K Srivastava and A K Sinha, both assistants to Kalmadi, were also called for interrogation.