CBI team in London to probe CWG scam

The CBI has sent a two-member team to London to gather details about the alleged irregularities in the conduct of Queen's Baton Relay (QBR) in the run-up to CWG. Abhishek Sharan reports.

The CBI has sent a two-member team to London to gather details about the alleged irregularities in the conduct of Queen's Baton Relay (QBR) in the run-up to CWG.

HT Image

The team, comprising an additional director and a deputy inspector general, will gather details on financial transactions related to two CWG contracts awarded to the London-based AM Cars & Vans and AM Films. These contracts were worth around Rs 3 crore.

While the deal with AM Films was over installation of three video screens near Buckingham Palace, the contract with AM Cars & Vans was over provisions for other logistics including transport facilities. The contracts were awarded at exorbitant rates and were against the norms

The agency had earlier sought the Centre's approval to send its team to London, as first reported by HT on March 26. The agency had also sent two Letters Rogatory-formal communication sent in writing by the court to a foreign court requesting the testimony of a witness in a pending case who resides within its jurisdiction-in connection with the probe.

According to a CBI source, an OC team in London had allegedly authorised the deals on October 23, 2009. They were made without the approval of its executive board and the payment was made within the next two days. "We want to know who authorised the deals and payments," said a CBI source.

Many of those arrested in the case have claimed that the deal was done in "haste" and without "a proper bidding process". The CBI suspects the two deals were allegedly concluded by a few OC officials allegedly in conspiracy with the firms.