BeyondHeadlines Staff Reporter
New Delhi: The CBI today questioned Suresh Kalmadi and arrested him in connection with Commonwealth Games Scam.He was charged with conspiracy, cheating and possible charges under Prevention of Corruption Act. In earlier planned session with CBI, he had not appeared for questioning on health grounds and being a strong Congress politician from Pune, constituency related work.
The CBI investigators now have sufficient evidence to prove Mr.Kalmadi was involved in irregularities and favouritism. As Chairman of the organising team he was routinely handed out contracts to companies that quoted highest prices over reasonable bids.
It was found London based AM Films was favoured, in hiring of services like taxis,portable toilets,Large Public Display Television Screens for the ceremony and the Queen’s Baton Relay. It is alleged that transfer of large sums of cash to AM Films and to its CEO Ashish Patel without a signed contract took place.Mr. Kalmadi had earlier defended himself by stating the shortage of time in processing the contract to get the show going on time. It was also discovered the three bids for the Queen’s Baton Relay function were forged to favour Mr. Patel in awarding of the contact.The CBI got lead from construction company based in Hyderabad, AKR Construction that acted as his frontal company. CBI has been investigating his locker in New Delhi, bank accounts and homes in Pune and Delhi.Kalmadi began losing ground with the arrest of Shekhar Mukund Deorukhkar, accused of hiding transactions and contract papers which were later discovered in raids conducted by CBI.
His other close associates like Lalit Bhanot, the Secretary General of the organising team and VK.Verma, Director General have already been arrested. In November 2010 Mr. Kalmadi was removed from the post of Secretary of Congress Parliamentary Party.
