CBI completes QBR probe, to file chargesheet

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is likely to file chargesheet in its probe related to alleged irregularities in the conduct of the Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) event in London in October 2009, ahead of the Commonwealth Games (CWG) by its Organising Committee (OC).

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is likely to file chargesheet in its probe related to alleged irregularities in the conduct of the Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) event in London in October 2009, ahead of the Commonwealth Games (CWG) by its Organising Committee (OC).

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The CBI has completed its QBR irregularities probe, said a CBI source. “The probe into irregularities related to the conduct of the QBR is now complete. We are ready to file the chargesheet now. We have received a lot of documents and information related to the QBR irregularities from United Kingdom authorities that were required by us and are being vetted,” said the CBI source.

The CBI is likely to name a key case suspect, London-based businessman Ashish Patel, as an accused in the chargesheet along with few top OC officials, the source said. Patel’s two firms had bagged two of the OC’s QBR contracts worth over R4 crore. Though told by the CBI in April to submit to it his statement, Patel has until now not complied with the agency’s request.

“Patel has not recorded his statement yet with us but his non-cooperation will not impede the case probe. The CBI will name him as an accused in the chargesheet along with few senior OC officials,” said the source.

The source added, “We are also considering the option of extraditing him, but we can request the UK authorities for it only after chargesheeting him.”
According to the source, in April, Patel had assured a CBI team in London that he would record his statement with the UK authorities within 15 days of his meeting with it but he didn’t.